Deutsche Welle is set to close its Greek-language service as part of a comprehensive cost-cutting plan following a reduction in federal funding for 2026. The German public broadcaster announced measures aimed at achieving savings of 21 million euros, which will also affect its journalism in other languages, including German. This decision marks a significant downsizing for DW's operations in Greece and could drastically alter the accessibility of news for Greek-speaking audiences.

In light of the budget cuts, Deutsche Welle's management has convened to discuss the impending reductions, which include the discontinuation of the Greek service and a consolidation of the German-language journalism. Approximately 160 full-time positions across the organization are expected to be impacted, although the exact number of job losses remains uncertain as the plans unfold. The anticipated changes indicate a shift toward fewer resources dedicated to multilingual journalism, which may diminish DW's capacity to deliver diverse news coverage.

The implications of these cuts extend beyond the immediate job losses and the closure of a cultural service. For many Greek speakers, Deutsche Welle has provided crucial access to international news and perspectives that are now likely to be limited. This move raises questions about the future of public broadcasting amid financial pressures and its role in promoting linguistic diversity in media, potentially leaving a significant gap in information for the impacted communities.