Campaign to Save Deutsche Welle's Greek Program

A petition campaign has been launched to save Deutsche Welle's (DW) Greek program, as the German broadcaster plans to shut it down on January 1, 2027. The decision, made as part of a €21 million cost-cutting effort, has sparked reactions in journalistic, political, and diaspora circles.

DW's management announced that the closure of the Greek service is necessary due to a reduction in federal funding. However, employees and supporters argue that this cut, which represents only 0.2% of DW's total budget, has serious journalistic, political, and symbolic implications.

The Greek service of DW, which has been operating for more than six decades, is considered an important channel for information and dialogue between Greece and Germany. During the military dictatorship in Greece, it provided independent information to the Greek public. The decision to close the Greek program has triggered reactions and mobilizations, with the Greek diaspora in Germany collecting signatures for its revocation. If 30,000 signatures are collected, the issue will be discussed in the German Parliament.

The petition campaign will run until April 16.