Deutsche Welle, Germany's international broadcaster, is facing drastic budget cuts as the federal government reduces its funding by ten million euros for 2026, bringing the total grant to 415 million euros. This decrease forces the broadcaster to implement savings totaling 21 million euros, of which 12 million will come from programming cuts and 9 million from administrative expenses. Consequently, 160 full-time positions will be eliminated, although there will be no layoffs, as the organization employs approximately 3,700 permanent and freelancer staff.

In addition to job losses, Deutsche Welle will cease its Greek service and reduce programming in Portuguese as well as Dari/Pashto. The German-language journalism services will be adjusted in conjunction with German language courses, showing a shift in focus that may affect their reach and effectiveness in various language markets. The implications of these cuts not only reduce the global presence of Deutsche Welle but also raise concerns about the potential impact on information dissemination in key regions.

The director of Deutsche Welle, General Director Massing, along with other stakeholders, are holding the federal government accountable for these cuts, highlighting the importance of state funding for public broadcasters. The reduction in budget raises questions about the viability of public broadcasting services, especially in times when independent media is crucial for a democratic society.