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The Russian Ambassador in Berlin, Sergei Netschajew (2018): "We don't really want a conflict"
Photo:
Kay Nietfeld / DPA
The dispute over the German-language program of the Russian state broadcaster RT threatens to escalate.
In an interview with the press agency dpa, the Russian ambassador in Berlin, Sergei Netschajew, announced a reaction to the restrictions on RT in Germany.
Without giving any specific details, the diplomat made it clear that German journalists in Russia could be affected.
"There will certainly be a reaction from the Russian side," said Nechayev when asked about possible consequences for the German media in Russia.
“I'm not an Oracle from Delphi, but there are several options.
There are so many German journalists in Russia. "
All of these journalists felt “comfortable” in the Russian media market, Nechayev continued.
“And we don't really want a conflict.
We just want our station in Germany to have the same rights and opportunities and to be able to work quietly. "
"There is no automatism"
When asked whether it could hit the German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle, which has a Russian-language program, Nechayev said: »There is no automatism.
I don't want to anticipate anything.
I still hope that there is no more pressure on RT in Germany. "
The now worsening dispute has been smoldering for months.
In mid-December, RT started its German live program RT DE via various distribution channels.
YouTube blocked the channel on its platform after a few hours, referring to community guidelines.
The day after, the Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg initiated proceedings against RT.
As a result, the satellite operator Eutelsat stopped broadcasting RT DE shortly before Christmas.
Luxembourg did not issue a license either
The background to the decision is that German regulatory authorities have not yet granted RT DE a broadcasting license for broadcasting.
RT relies on a Serbian broadcast license.
In August 2021, RT tried to bypass requirements from Germany and broadcast its German program from Luxembourg.
The plan failed, however, because the Luxembourg authorities did not issue a license and declared that they were not responsible;
they again referred to the German authorities.
RT is repeatedly criticized in the West as the Kremlin's propaganda tool.
Central allegation: The station spreads conspiracy theories and disinformation on behalf of the Russian state.
RT rejects that.
The broadcaster has several foreign language programs in its portfolio.
RT DE has been offering online reports in German for a long time.
The content is currently being disseminated via the website and social media.
dpa / cgu