German, Russian foreign ministers clash over broadcaster RT 

Moscow (dpa) – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday clashed at a press conference on the subject of the German-language version of the Russian television channel RT.

After the two top diplomats held talks in Moscow, Lavrov said that RT – formerly Russia Today – had been one of the topics under discussion and called on the government in Berlin to allow the channel to operate unhindered in Germany.

RT is repeatedly criticized in the West as a propaganda tool of the Kremlin, and is accused of spreading conspiracy theories and disinformation on behalf of the Russian state. RT rejects the accusations.

“The important thing for us is that Russian journalists should feel comfortable and not face discrimination,” Lavrov was cited as saying by state news agency Tass.

RT DE is asking for a TV station licence for a full German channel. RT already broadcasts in the United States, France and other countries.

Lavrov warned his German counterpart that he believed there was “interference into activities of independent journalists” and obstructing RT would have consequences.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly threatened that a broadcasting ban would affect the work of German media in Russia.

Baerbock countered by saying there was no state broadcasting in Germany.

Baerbock also rejected complaints by an RT representative that employees of the channel in Germany were being hindered in their work or discriminated against.

“It is not the case that there is state interference,” she said, referring to a decision by the video platform YouTube to block RT DE for spreading false information.

The RT representative complained during the press conference that working in Germany is harder than in any other country and called on Lavrov to support RT.

The minister confirmed that he supported RT, while Baerbock replied that RT staff had access to key press conferences and also reported on demonstrations, for example.

There is always access for journalistic activity, Baerbock said, adding that Germany was committed to freedom of the press.

In mid-December, RT launched the German-language live channel RT DE via various distribution channels.

The media regulators in Berlin then initiated proceedings against RT. As a result, the satellite operator Eutelsat stopped broadcasting RT DE shortly before Christmas.

German regulators have not formally granted a broadcasting licence for the channel.