You need to understand how hierarchy pyramid of news agencies work. National geographics is one of the outlets that are on top of the pyramid. Others being cnn, fox, popular mechanics, Time, AP, etc who are affilitiated with the US government. The US government decides what information should be given to put themselves in a more favorable light. The top ranking individuals of each outlet's job is to keep every dissent in check to prevent from information that puts the US government in a darker light leaked to the public. The next level below of the hiercharcy pyramid gets their news from the level above. The pattern continues as information are passed to the next level below. Independent journalists who are neutral from the pyramid whereas the government has no control over, do as much research as national geographics journalists do and put out more broader and real information.