A German TV news program depicting chancellor Angela Merkel in black Islamic headdress before a Berlin skyline dotted with minarets has divided viewers.
The Bericht aus Berlin (Report from Berlin) broadcast on ARD on Sunday evening looked at how Germany would cope with growing numbers of asylum seekers.
Addressing people's fears of migration, presenter Rainald Becker had asked: "What will happen to our values? How do we react, if refugees have issues with equal opportunities, with women's rights or with freedom of opinion and freedom of the press?"
Sabine Knott, Head of Viewer Reaction at ARD told DPA: "The program has polarised viewers very strongly and triggered some emotional responses."
"Some viewers said it was important that citizens' concerns were finally taken seriously and to show what the situation in Germany looks like at the moment. Others were very upset, saying we promoted the likes of (right-wing group) Pegida."
ARD defended the photomontage, saying it had been misunderstood.
A statement posted on ARD's Facebook page said: "The graphic had a direct connection to the presentation by Rainald Becker of a report about the values of our society. He was speaking about the achievements of our western society: freedom of speech, press freedom and equality. These freedoms were reflected in this graphic."
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