Examining Germany's Image Abroad

The survey was conducted by German research institute forsa and commissioned by Deutsche Welle to better gage Germany's perception in two of the broadcaster's most important markets. The representative poll was conducted in major cities in both countries in the fall of 2003.

Germany's opposition to the war in Iraq, for example, had clear effects on how Russians and Americans viewed bilateral relations. In Russia, 72 percent of those interviewed described relations as "good" and 62 percent said the German position on Iraq had improved their perception of the country.

Only 35 percent of Americans on the other hand said relations were good and 51 percent felt the Iraq crisis had harmed Germany's reputation abroad.

Hitler remains best-known German

Pollsters said that relations between East Germany and the Soviet Union were partially responsible for the positive assessment in Russia despite the German invasion under Adolf Hitler, who incidentally remains the best known German in both countries.

While Chancellor Gerhard Schröder was the second-best known German in the U.S., writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe took that position among Russians. Few people named philosopher Karl Marx or composer Johann Sebastian Bach.

The findings won't have any direct effects on Deutsche Welle's programming, according to Erik Bettermann, the broadcaster's director-general. He said DW officials would combine them with feedback from viewers, listeners and readers as well as partner organizations such as the Goethe Institute. Germany's parliament is expected to redefine the broadcaster's mission with a new law later this year.

"We have to do something to improve Germany's image abroad," he said.