German union rejects cuts to Deutsche Welle

Trade union Verdi urged that planned cuts to Germany's state-funded international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) be halted, reported dpa.

The union called on Culture and Media Commissioner Claudia Roth to support a "strong programme of international television and the professional livelihood of the freelancers working for it."

Verdi executive board member Christoph Schmitz noted that the current government had pledged to expand DW. The service now aims to cut costs as part of a digital-focused overhaul by reducing its staff complement.

DW said last week that around 100 full-time jobs were to go, mainly in Berlin and in Bonn, with 200 employees affected overall. It said it had to act preventively, even though the federal budget for 2024 has yet to be decided.

Verdi has said that in addition to the staff cuts, hundreds of freelancers could lose work too.

The service is financed directly by the federal government from taxes but operates independently. It offers television, radio and online services in 32 languages. In 2022, it received €400 million from the state.

DW's mandate is to promote understanding of Germany abroad and to promote freedom of speech around the world.