Deutsche Welle has once again demonstrated a blatant disregard for professional and ethical standards of journalism. A film recently broadcast and published on the website of this German state-funded media outlet raises serious concerns. In tone and content, it closely resembles material produced by nationalist Armenian channels, as it meticulously compiles all key narratives of Armenian propaganda.
The formal pretext for the film was the visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Armenia — at a time when Germany is facing domestic political turbulence, strained relations with the United States, and ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock as President of the UN General Assembly. Such visits are typically accompanied by media coverage, particularly from publicly funded broadcasters. Yet in this case, the focus is not on Armenian-German relations, but rather on an attempt to legitimize the failed separatist project in Karabakh.
This raises a legitimate question: how appropriate is it to dedicate a documentary to a territory that, under international law, is an integral part of Azerbaijan — all while presenting it as a story about Armenia? Or does the Deutsche Welle editorial board believe that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is optional?
The film is rife with disinformation and distortion. Its creators unapologetically promote the historically false narrative that Stalin allegedly “gave” Karabakh to Azerbaijan, ignoring archived decisions by the Caucasian Bureau, which twice confirmed Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. At the same time, the film conveniently omits the fact that Armenia was gifted Western Zangezur and the eastern shore of Lake Geycha, now known as Sevan. Also repeated is the widely debunked claim about “2,000 Syrian mercenaries” supposedly fighting for Azerbaijan. Particularly cynical is the misuse of footage — portraying Azerbaijani refugees as “displaced Armenians.”
Selective reporting — or more accurately, deliberate omission — is another glaring issue. Sumgait is mentioned, but the ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis in Armenia is completely ignored. The occupation of seven Azerbaijani districts is barely referenced, with no mention of the hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis who were forcibly displaced. The involvement of international terrorists fighting on Armenia’s side — including the convicted militant Monte Melkonian — is entirely left out. Yet unverified accusations against Azerbaijan are freely disseminated. Not a single Azerbaijani voice is featured in the film — only ethnic Armenian activists and lobbyists, primarily from France, whose political ambitions within the EU are hardly a secret.
Especially provocative is the film’s attempt to discredit energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union. Even European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is subjected to criticism — solely for supporting energy diversification in Europe.
It is clear that the film is not an isolated editorial decision, but part of a systematic pattern. Against the backdrop of repeated provocations by Armenian armed forces along the border and Yerevan’s shift in allegiance from Moscow to Brussels, such media products serve as instruments of information support for revanchist ambitions. The most troubling aspect is that this was not the initiative of a private outlet — but a production aired by a publicly funded German broadcaster.
In light of this, an official response is necessary. Azerbaijan has every right to demand the removal or revision of the film in accordance with the principles of balance and objectivity. More broadly, it is time to confront the issue of biased and discriminatory coverage of Azerbaijan within the German state media landscape. This practice has long overstepped all acceptable boundaries — both journalistic and political.
