National Geographic, the official magazine of the National Geographic Society, debuted in 1888 as a professional publication for scientists and geologists. Over the decades, the magazine evolved, moving from technical articles to narrative to storytelling - and including stunning photography - exposing its readers to new places and cultures. But, in doing so, it also contributed to furthering racial stereotypes, according to a report from a University of Virginia researcher.
In April, 2018, National Geographic dedicated an entire issue to race https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/04/from-the-editor-race-racism-history/) in which editor in chief Susan Goldberg acknowledged the magazine's history of racism in reporting, including its subject matter and photography. "The magazine's self-reflection was among the most direct admissions of past sins from media organizations, which have occasionally wrestled with their complicity in injustices," according to a subsequent article in The New York Times. ( https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/13/business/media/national-geographic-race.html).
Susan Goldberg
Editorial Director, National Geographic Partners, and Editor in Chief, National Geographic Magazine
Lauren Rich Fine
Partner, Gries Financial, LLC
