German broadcaster Deutsche Welle relocates its Moscow studio to Riga

  • 2022-03-09
  • LETA/DW/TBT Staff

RIGA - German public service broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) has relocated its Moscow-based studio, which was shut down at the beginning of February, to Riga, the broadcaster's management informed. 

The relocated DW studio is expected to resume broadcasting from Riga in the next few weeks. Yuri Rescheto, previously DW Bureau Chief Moscow, will be head of DW's new foreign location.

"We continue to take all the technical and organizational measures possible to provide our audience in Russia and around the world with critical information. We remain committed to providing independent and objective reporting. Even though our website and most social media channels have been blocked by the Putin government in recent days, people in Russia can find a variety of ways to circumvent censorship," said DW Director General Peter Limbourg.

"From Germany, Ukraine, neighboring European countries and now soon also from Riga, we provide our audience in Russia with comprehensive and sustainable information about the war in Ukraine. Latvia offers geographical proximity to Russia, and the vibrant media landscape in the Baltic countries now creates optimal conditions for our team and reporting," said DW Editor-in-Chief Manuela Kasper-Claridge.

On February 3, 2022, the Russian government banned DW from broadcasting in Russia, citing as a reason Germany's ban on the German-language channel of Russian state TV network RT DE. The following day, staff at DW's Moscow studio had to hand in their press accreditations. The Russian Foreign Ministry also announced an investigation into whether DW should be classified as a foreign agent.