Germany's DW closure in Turkey sparks fears of pre-election media clampdown

Andrew Wilks

Mar 23, 2023

A picture shows the logo of German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) on a a glass at their head office in Bonn, western Germany, on Feb. 8, 2022. — INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images

ISTANBUL — The planned closure of the Turkey office of one of the country’s leading foreign news outlets has led to fears of a clampdown on the media in the run-up to elections on May 14.

Germany’s public broadcaster, Deutsche Welle (DW), announced on Monday that it will close its bureau in Turkey after the government declined to extend its permission to operate in the country. The company, which produces news in Turkish, said it would close its office beginning Tuesday next week.