Visual Representations of Refugees in German Media 2010 - 2020

This photo of young refugee boys clutching a chain-link fence in Greece provided by the German news agency dapd was published by Taz.de alongside their article "Deutsche Polizei hilft Frontex auch 2011" (German police will help Frontex also in 2011) on December 29, 2010.

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Although perhaps perceived as less threatening than grown men trying to migrate as refugees into Europe, it can again be noted here that only males are depicted in the photo on the other side of the fence. In the foreground of the picture, a second chain link fence is also visible, adding another laying of separation between the photographer and by association the view and the refugee children. ​The photo follows more of a candid, photojournalistic style as opposed to a stylized shoot such as the first image analyzed, allowing the viewer to get a sense of the authentic atmosphere in the situation and tone at the Greek-Turkish border. Finally, the boys' lighter brown skin tone and the location of the photograph indicate they are most likely Turkish attempting to cross into Europe through Greece.

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The dapd was a short-lived German news agency, only having been active from 2010 - 2013, at which time they declared bankruptcy. Even within such a minimal operating time, dapd was criticized by fellow German news organization NDR for its business practices and models.

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