The German public broadcaster’s partnership arrangements involve Deutsche Welle supplying journalistic content.
Jordanian broadcaster Roya Media Group has rejected accusations of publishing anti-semitic content that led a German international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle, to suspend a decade-long cooperation agreement.
On December 5, Deutsche Welle said it is suspending cooperation with a Jordanian partner, Roya TV, because of concerns about anti-Israeli and anti-semitic content and caricatures on its social media.
Fares Sayegh, CEO of the group, said in a statement that it regrets the decision of Deutsche Welle (DW) to suspend its agreements with Roya after a hostile campaign was launched accusing Roya of anti-semitism.
He added: “We have had a successful professional relationship with DW since 2011 during which we have never had any incident that jeopardised our shared values. Fighting racism in all of its forms, including anti-semitism, is a core value that we cherish, and therefore we strongly condemn the false accusations that have sprung and which led to DW issuing its statement.”
Sayegh stressed that the “criticism of illegal, inhumane or racist actions by Israel as a state” should be differentiated from anti-semitism.
He continued: “Roya Media Group is committed to its Code of Ethics that incorporates (Find the Truth and Report It, Be Independent and Be Objective). The Code is the reason why Roya has achieved the first place amongst Jordanian news organisations. It ensures we are at the service of disseminating the truth to the public. No one should expect us not to cover Israeli hostile actions that affect innocent civilians in fear of accusations of antisemitism.”
Roya Media Group reserves its right to take any necessary action in light of the accusations, and holds its values at the core of its business and cherishes its relationships with partners worldwide, Sayegh concluded.
