Deutsche Welle

DW's fact-checking team uncovered a large-scale disinformation campaign targeting candidates from multiple democratic parties ahead of Germany's upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Lower Saxony. Analyzing 180 posts collected by the investigative collective Antibot4Navalny, DW identified fabricated claims targeting candidates from the CDU, SPD, FDP, The Left and Alliance 90/The Greens. Experts attribute the activity to the Russian influence operation "Matryoshka." 💬 "We have seen the disinformation campaign gain momentum, both in volume and in the narratives being spread," says DW Head of Fact-Checking Joscha Weber. "The allegations have also become more extreme, with candidates falsely accused of murder, sexual abuse and corruption." Among posts reviewed on X, TikTok and Bluesky, DW identified 20 that imitated its content and misused its logo, while others falsely cited DW as their source. One video circulated an invented quote attributed to DW Editor-in-Chief Mathias Stamm. In response, Stamm said: "These fake videos exploit the credibility of trusted media outlets to spread false information and mislead the public ahead of critical elections in Germany. We at DW remain committed to transparent, fact-based reporting and will continue to identify and expose fake content wherever it appears." Our press release: https://lnkd.in/eTaKauDP You can find the link to the fact check in the comments.

A new DW investigation uncovered gaps in the protection of victims' identities within the DOJ's Epstein archive Months after the Department of Justice (DOJ) said it had strengthened redaction procedures, DW reporters found documents containing victim-identifying information that are still publicly accessible. By preserving and comparing multiple versions of the archive, reporters found that roughly 500,000 files had been removed from public access and identified dozens of documents that still contained victim-identifying information. For co-lead investigator Lewis Sanders, the findings point to a broader lesson: "Public records can change after they are released. Our reporting shows why it is important to preserve and scrutinize those records over time, particularly when transparency, accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals are at stake." The reporting involved preserving archive versions, digitally verifying changes over time and examining how victim-protection measures were implemented in practice. DW Editor-in-Chief Mathias Stamm says: "The work of our investigative team highlights once again why a free press is so important. Governments have a duty to protect personal data, especially where victims are concerned. It's a journalist's role to inform the public when governments fall short." 🎥 Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/dZfpnQBA 🔗 You can find our press release via the link in the comments.

Following the attack during the Christopher Street Day celebrations in Berlin, Deutsche Welle has expanded its reporting to provide context, verified information and a range of perspectives on the attack and its aftermath. ➡️ We spoke with members of Berlin's queer community about their reactions to the attack and its impact: https://lnkd.in/d7AqNHNg ➡️The latest episode of DW Berlin Briefing examines the political implications of the attack, the debates it has sparked in Germany, and the challenges facing Chancellor Friedrich Merz: https://lnkd.in/dvdBJTwK ➡️ As misleading claims and manipulated content circulate online, DW's fact-checking team has reviewed and verified some of the most widely shared narratives (article in German): https://lnkd.in/dDiXgMdt ➡️ DW News also spoke with Alfonso Pantisano, Berlin's Queer Commissioner for the Acceptance of Sexual and Gender Diversity, about what the attack means for Berlin and its identity as an open and diverse city: https://lnkd.in/daM7xsfM Our reporting will continue as more information becomes available and as the political, social and cultural discussions surrounding the attack evolve. For constant updates, visit dw.com. 

Europa braucht starke Partnerschaften für unabhängigen Journalismus – besonders dort, wo Desinformation gezielt demokratische Debatten beeinflussen soll. Ich freue mich sehr, dass die DW gemeinsam mit France Medias Monde und TVP WORLD neue journalistische Angebote für den Südkaukasus im Rahmen eines EU-Projektes auf den Weg bringt. Mit unserem neuen georgischsprachigen Instagram-Kanal erreicht die DW ab August Menschen direkt in ihrer Sprache. Gleichzeitig entstehen neue Angebote von FMM auf Armenisch und von TVP World auf Aserbaidschanisch. Gefördert wird das Projekt durch die Europäische Union im Zuge der "Informationsschutzschild-Initiative". ➡️ So schaffen wir mehr Zugang zu verlässlichen Informationen und stärken zugleich den journalistischen Austausch über Grenzen hinweg. Gerade in einer Region, die vor großen politischen und gesellschaftlichen Herausforderungen steht, sind unabhängige Medien und internationale Zusammenarbeit von besonderer Bedeutung. Für mich ist dieses Vorhaben ein starkes Beispiel dafür, wie europäische Partner gemeinsam Verantwortung übernehmen und Desinformation mit glaubwürdigem Journalismus begegnen können. Mein Dank gilt allen Kolleginnen und Kollegen bei DW, France Médias Monde und TVP World, die dieses Projekt möglich gemacht haben.

UPDATE: Alican Uludağ was released in Ankara on Wednesday afternoon, 22 July 2026, under judicial restrictions. For more information, see our updated press release at dw.com/press. --------------- DW's Turkey correspondent Alican Uludağ has been arrested again in Turkey. The award-winning court and investigative journalist is facing new allegations in a separate investigation, while an ongoing case against him continues. DW Director General Barbara Massing said: "The re-arrest of our colleague Alican Uludağ is deeply concerning. Journalistic work must not be criminalized. For many years, Alican has independently researched and reported on the judiciary, politics and society in Turkey in the public interest. We expect his rights to be fully respected and demand a fair trial in accordance with the rule of law. Deutsche Welle continues to stand firmly by his side." DW is in contact with Uludağ’s legal counsel and will provide updates as the situation develops. Our press release: https://lnkd.in/eddqKT6V

🌍 Why don't Germans have air conditioners? Why is California getting dustier? And what can a 3,000-year-old cooling trick teach us today? Climate and environmental stories are everywhere, but it's not easy to spot how they relate to each other. That's where Eco Drop, DW's new environment newsletter, comes in. Every week, Eco Drop connects the dots between extreme weather and innovative solutions, nature and everyday life, science and human stories. 📬 Get compelling reads, fresh videos and deep-dive audio delivered straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe to Eco Drop for your weekly dose of global climate and environment stories: https://lnkd.in/eSu-HgDg

🎉Our 2025/2026 class of trainees are now fully qualified journalists - congratulations!🎉 Alongside welcoming them, seeing our #trainees at the end of their journey is one of my favorite occasions of the year. It’s always exciting to see just how much they've grown, what experiences they've gained during their training, and how they experience DW, both as an employer, and #media organization. This time, I was particularly pleased to hear that they appreciate being treated as equals and are deeply grateful for the many opportunities they were given - such as covering the FIFA World Cup from the US. What's more, they feel ready to take the next step on the career ladder, and are all now starting their first contracts, moving onto working in editorial departments. This positive sentiment shows me just how seriously we at DW take the training of our upcoming journalists. It proves that we treat young people with respect, believe in them, and trust them. A big thank you to everyone involved, especially Ramón García-Ziemsen and Mariama Kouotou, who dedicate themselves to our trainees with so much passion and commitment. I wish you all a great start and look forward to your stories! Ramisha Ali Chiara Bachels Liz Bulnes Nicholas Counter Shubhangi Derhgawen Daniela Melissa Escarria Parra Hussna Mohamed Enno Hinz Chi Hui Lin Hauwau Samaila Mohammed Carlos Muros Rodríguez Amy Stockdale #DWAmbassador #journalim #traineeship

A day on the ground covering the World Cup for DW ⚽ #DWAmbassador and trainee Emilio Reynoso reported from his home country, Mexico, during the World Cup. But his focus wasn't on the action on the field. For DW's Spanish, English and Arabic audiences, Emilio explored how the tournament was shaping life across the country; from Mexico's accessibility commitments and the event's social impact to the atmosphere surrounding the world's largest single-sport event. 🎬 Follow Emilio behind the scenes in this short reel and dive deeper into his reporting on accessibility at the World Cup (https://lnkd.in/e2EhEKMk) and the issue of missing persons in Mexico (https://lnkd.in/eNFw2wPX).