GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1953
Ownership
Deutsche Welle is Germany's international public broadcaster, established under the federal Deutsche Welle Act (Deutsche-Welle-Gesetz). It is a public-law corporation of the German federation (the only broadcaster governed by federal rather than state law), overseen by its own Broadcasting Board and Administrative Board; it has no private owners. The English service is one of DW's language offerings, not a separate company.
Funding
Unlike ARD/ZDF, DW is not financed by the household licence fee but from federal tax revenue via annual grants in the federal budget, administered through the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. Funding has recently been cut (a roughly 10-million-euro reduction for 2026), prompting cost savings.
Affiliation & stance
DW is state-funded and federally owned, with its remit and independence laid down in the DW Act, which mandates editorially independent journalism presenting Germany abroad; its stance is broadly centrist. Because it is a government-financed, federally constituted public broadcaster rather than a privately owned outlet, it is classified STATE (public-broadcaster sense).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 555
80/100
Factual
77/100
Objective
612
Articles
599
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
US-Canada trade war: 50 percent tariffs for the old friend
The trade conflict between Canada and the United States has escalated after failed negotiations on a tariff compromise. The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on certain Canadian imports worth approximately $28 billion annually. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would retaliate with equivalent tariffs to protect workers and businesses. The U.S. cited the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 as the legal basis for these tariffs, a law often blamed for exacerbating the Great Depression. According to Canada, the talks collapsed because the U.S. demanded last-minute changes to proposed terms that were deemed unfair and economically unsustainable. The U.S. accused Canada of rejecting the agreement reached earlier in the week, despite offering Canada the best market access among major exporters. The failure of the negotiations casts doubt on the future extension of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is currently set to be renewed for another 16 years.
Footballer of the year: Giulia Gwinn and Harry Kane awarded
Der Artikel berichtet über die Auszeichnung von Harry Kane als Fußballer des Jahres und Giulia Gwinn als Fußballerin des Jahres in Deutschland. Beide Spieler sind vom FC Bayern München. Kane erhielt 272 Stimmen, während sein Teamkollege Michael Olise nur 203 Stimmen bekam. Gwinn gewann mit 106 Stimmen gegen Klara Bühl (94 Stimmen) und Jule Brand (82 Stimmen). Der Trainer des Jahres wurde Vincent Kompany, Coach von Bayern München, mit 314 Stimmen gewählt. Der Artikel erwähnt, dass es selten ist, dass sowohl der Fußballer als auch die Fußballerin des Jahres vom gleichen Verein kommen. Es wird auch erwähnt, dass Kane bereits den Goldenen Schuh erhalten hat und der Sportvorstand Max Eberl lobt ihn als erfolgreichsten Spieler.
Congo, M23 rebels agree to peace roadmap
Representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 have reached a peace agreement after negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland. The deal, brokered with the involvement of the U.S. State Department, the African Union, Switzerland, and Qatar, outlines a roadmap for achieving lasting peace in the DRC. This follows a previous agreement signed in Doha, Qatar, in November 2026. While a ceasefire has been in effect since November 15, progress toward peace has been slow, although recent prisoner exchanges indicate some movement. The new plan includes an observer mission supported by UN MONUSCO peacekeepers and sets up future negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. The conflict, which began in early 2022, has resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and millions of displacements due to ongoing violence between the DRC government and M23 rebels.
Is the US seeing a turning point in obesity rates?
The article discusses potential signs of a turning point in U.S. obesity rates, citing a study by epidemiologist Benjamin Rader and data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicating a decline in obesity prevalence since 2021. This trend coincides with the rapid increase in prescriptions for GLP-1 agonist drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, which were initially developed for diabetes treatment but have shown effectiveness in weight loss. While experts like Rader acknowledge the possibility that these medications could be contributing to the observed decline, they caution against definitive conclusions due to the complexity of factors involved, including lifestyle changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Endocrinologist Peminda Cabandugama suggests that the decline may result from a combination of medication use and broader societal shifts toward weight management.
What is the 'political firewall' against Germany's far-right AfD?
The article explains the concept of the 'political firewall' used by German politicians to distance themselves from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). It describes how the term is used as a metaphor to maintain a strict boundary between mainstream parties and groups deemed extremist. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has labeled some AfD state branches as right-wing extremist, but the Federal Constitutional Court has not yet ruled on whether the party as a whole violates the German constitution. While calls for banning AfD persist, no formal application has been submitted. The article notes that Chancellor Friedrich Merz initially supported the firewall policy but has since distanced himself from the term. Other parties like the SPD and Greens reject cooperation with AfD, while left-wing populist Sahra Wagenknecht advocates for potential collaboration with AfD in certain regions.
Kazakhstan parliamentary vote to cement president's power
Kazakhstan is holding parliamentary elections on Sunday, with 12.3 million eligible voters set to choose members of the newly restructured unicameral parliament known as the Kurultai. The reform, which eliminated the Senate, was approved by 87% of voters in March and aims to centralize power under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Critics argue the change strengthens Tokayev's authority, while supporters claim it enhances legislative efficiency. Seven state-sanctioned parties are permitted to contest the 145 seats, while genuine opposition parties are barred. The election occurs amid economic hardship, including inflation of around 10.2% and rising taxes, which have fueled fears of renewed protests similar to those in early 2022. Additionally, the government has intensified pressure on journalists, with several independent reporters facing house arrests and legal action. Tokayev, who succeeded Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2019, has positioned himself as a stabilizing force balancing relations with Moscow, the West, China, and the EU. Although he claims no intention to extend his tenure, the constitutional amendment allows him to seek re-election in 2029.
In the Ukrainian attack on Belgorod killed six people, among the wounded children
On August 17, 2026, an Ukrainian missile attack struck the Russian region of Belgorod, killing six people and injuring four, including a 14-year-old child. The attack reportedly hit the village of Koloskovo in the Valuysky district, damaging a building and a vehicle. In addition, a woman was killed in another Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Astrakhan region, which targeted industrial infrastructure. According to French news agency AFP, at least 19 people were killed in mutual attacks between Ukraine and Russia over the weekend. Russia’s defense ministry described the Ukrainian strikes, some involving hundreds of drones, as the largest since the start of the year. One of the targets was a warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce company Wildberries, which Kyiv claims supplies parts for drones to the Russian military. Meanwhile, in southern Odessa Oblast, a Russian night attack on Izmail caused fires that have been extinguished. A civilian ship flying the flag of Tuva was damaged during the attack, leaving four people injured. Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz reported that Russia conducted 13 attacks on its facilities across Ukraine in the past week, targeting production and能源
Iran warns countries against joining US 'economic war'
Iran has issued a warning to nations against participating in the United States' economic campaign aimed at isolating the Iranian economy. Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated that any country imposing economic restrictions on Iran would be considered an enemy. The U.S., under President Donald Trump, has been escalating economic pressures against Iran, calling it the 'most crushing economic operation.' Meanwhile, China has criticized these sanctions, advocating for diplomatic solutions. The United Arab Emirates has severed financial ties with Iran, citing regional instability. Talks between the U.S. and Iran have remained stalled for over five months since the start of the conflict.
Cargo vessel sinks off Indian coast
A cargo ship named Ocean Winner, flagged under Panama, sank off the eastern coast of India, according to the Indian coast guard. The vessel had 24 crew members aboard, including 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar, and one from Bangladesh. At least two crew members were rescued, but the cause of the sinking remains unknown. Officials reported that the ship was approximately 240 nautical miles off the coast of Odisha when it went down. Rescue operations involving the Indian Coast Guard and Navy were ongoing to locate any remaining survivors. According to tracking data, the ship was transporting iron ore from Paradip port in Odisha to Singapore.
Before the elections in Saxony-Anhalt: coffee with Mr Siegmund?
Four weeks before the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, leading candidates from various parties participated in a televised debate hosted by MDR titled 'Fakt ist! Wahlarena,' where they addressed questions from the public on topics ranging from education, gas supply, migration, war, and peace. The discussion focused heavily on concerns regarding democracy, societal division, and the future role of the AfD, which leads in opinion polls with over 40 percent support. One audience member questioned why the CDU would maintain a 'firewall' against the AfD if they wanted to engage with their voters. The CDU’s Minister President, Sven Schulze, stated he had no intention of cooperating with the AfD but emphasized his willingness to talk to its supporters. The AfD’s candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, described a sense of optimism among his supporters, while Left Party candidate Eva von Angern warned against falling into the AfD’s narrative of victimhood. Education was another major topic, particularly the AfD’s proposal to replace compulsory schooling with a compulsory education mandate, which Siegmund argued could benefit children facing extreme bullying at school. Other issues included university
Wadephul in Ukraine: We see the suffering
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Ukraine to reaffirm Germany's continued military and financial support amid ongoing hostilities with Russia. During his visit, he condemned Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, including a shopping center attack that resulted in additional casualties. Wadephul accused Moscow of committing 'senseless murder' against civilians and targeting energy systems to undermine Ukraine's resilience. He emphasized that July and August were among the deadliest months since the war began, with increased rocket fire from Russia. The minister also warned of intensified winter attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and pledged further assistance. Wadephul criticized Russia's 'totalitarian suppression' and suggested growing awareness among Russians of the economic costs of the war. His visit was kept confidential due to security concerns, and discussions focused on strategic coordination with Ukrainian leadership.
Germany-Liveblog: Merz promises 'quick and full relief'
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has emphasized economic growth and employment as the top priority ahead of a cabinet meeting next week. He pledged 'swift and comprehensive relief' for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, and expressed confidence that the government would implement the reforms passed before the summer recess quickly. Merz defended the government's course despite criticism from various quarters, stating they would not be swayed by external pressures. Meanwhile, Health Minister Carsten Linnemann (CDU) aims to preserve pension benefits for caregivers, opposing cuts proposed earlier by his predecessor. The proposal had aimed to reduce costs in the nursing insurance system through spending caps and additional revenue streams, including reducing payments for caregiving-related pension contributions. However, Linnemann argues against these reductions, emphasizing their social importance. Additionally, Jewish community leaders have warned about potential risks posed by the AfD in upcoming eastern state elections.
Nigeria: Jihadis kidnap dozens during Friday prayers
In Nigeria's Niger State, extremists attacked and abducted dozens of worshippers during Friday prayers at a mosque in the village of Kpenya. Survivors reported that the attackers, who wielded guns, knives, and machetes, claimed to be enforcing 'true' Islamic teachings and killed some individuals. Local residents estimated up to 60 people were kidnapped, though police stated no lives were lost. The identity of the attackers remains unclear, but witnesses linked them to groups such as Lakurawa, associated with the Islamic State Sahel Province, or Ansaru, which split from Boko Haram and aligns with al-Qaeda. A rival jihadi group called Mahmuda reportedly clashed with the attackers and helped some captives escape. Despite a decline in jihadi attacks since the peak of Boko Haram's insurgency, Nigeria continues to face challenges from both jihadist groups and non-ideological bandit gangs.