The "Window" With Bias: The Image Of "the Others" Constructed By National Geographic

Under the theory framework of "the others" and using the content analysis method, this thesis investigates how the National Geographic construct the image of "the others". Fourteen topics and 125 pictures selected from the 24 issues during January 2005 and December 2006 are used for the research. The contents of the pictures are classified into four types of elements, namely place, costume, gender and identity. Each element is further measured by for indices. Finally, relative statistics data are used to analyze the four elements one by one, the explaining texts of the pictures are also referred to.Based on the deconstruction and analysis of the research samples, this thesis manages to answer the following four questions: why the National Geographic is so curious on "the others"? How the pictures of the National Geographic construct views of "the others"? How is this constructing system formed? Do the views constructed by the pictures of National Geographic remain unchanged or keep changing, as compared to the views of "the others" in colonization period?The research results show that:Firstly, the views of "the others" constructed by the National Geographic verify the theory of classification system of the mankind school. Before the pictures of a topic are shot, the photographer has already transcendentally allocated dedicated "places" to "the others". Then a series of exterior flags, such as place, costume and identity, are used to vivify and emphasize their "places". For the outsiders, the classification system is started again to correct their offense and give them shame labels. The contradiction of repulsion and curiosity between "the subjects" and "the others" is right originated from this rigid classification system. The differences that ate classified into the "forbidden zones" are right due to their forbidden identity and the their discrepancy to "the subjects", which seems very attractive.Secondly, the photographers pick some key points from the various characteristics of "the others", then fix them, which guide readers to recognize "the others". The western owing the voice power is the person to decide who are "the others". Normally, they like shooting countries instead of cities, shooting the persons standing at two opposite points. So, "the others" constructed by the photographers not only can not speak out, but also be pushed to the edge, or be concluded to several concepts.Thirdly, the image of "the others" constructed by national geographic is a little bit different from traditional "classification system". In fact, the western and "the others" do not reject and isolate each other in their own "position". The the western is the person to decide the difference between himself and "others", as well as construct the image of "the others". "The others" can not speak out their voice about their image, say nothing of anti-constructing. In a word, the process of constructing "the others" is not only based on the rejection of "classification system", but also based on the power of the western.Fourthly, the image of "the others" constructed by National Geographic begins to change. The photographers shoot a large number of youths, whose life style and behavior is close to the western. Although they usually emphasize these young person are just minority in their country, even are the main reason of poverty and corruption occurred in the nation, they guide readers open mind to recognize "the others".