Back to Ownership Map
Global South·Founded 1953

Deutsche Welle

CenterDeutsche Welle (public corporation)

Deutsche Welle is Germany's international broadcaster, funded by the German federal government. It broadcasts in 30 languages and aims to provide independent journalism from a German and European perspective. While editorially independent by law, its government funding creates structural questions about coverage of German interests.

Ownership Chain

Deutsche WelleDeutsche Welle (public corporation)German federal government

Funding Sources

German federal government budget

Known Conflicts of Interest

  • •Directly funded by the German federal government, raising questions about independence on German foreign policy and EU coverage.
  • •Germany's significant economic ties with China and Russia create potential editorial pressure on coverage of those countries.
  • •DW has faced internal controversies over editorial positions on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Notable Connections

  • •Budget set by the German Federal Commissioner for Culture and Media
  • •DW Academy trains journalists in developing countries, creating diplomatic soft power
  • •Former DW journalists have moved into German government communications roles
Ownership MapMethodologyAboutEditorial PolicyTopics