So, Iran’s late supreme leader is getting a week-long funeral procession, spanning both Iran and Iraq, and yet corporate media coverage is a mixed bag of hype and obfuscation. Outlets like CNN and MSNBC are framing it as some sort of national solidarity moment, glossing over the fact that many Iranians are less than enthusiastic about the theocratic regime, despite the drum circles of grief that will be paraded in front of cameras. Why? Because it aligns with their agenda to portray a united Iran, ready to rise from the ashes, rather than the fractured society that exists.

Meanwhile, Fox News might take a different route, focusing on the potential for instability or nuclear implications, essentially pushing a fear narrative. Instead of dealing with the complex realities of Iranian society, their ‘coverage’ narrows down to simplistic slogans like “Iran on the brink.” Both-ends of the media spectrum are failing to engage with the nuance here. Where’s the acknowledgment of dissent? The voices calling for reform? Absent, because it doesn’t fit the theatrical narrative they want to spin.

Let’s be clear: The true story isn’t about glorifying a funeral procession; it’s about a country grappling with its identity amidst suppression. When media outlets cherry-pick what they report, they’re not just misinforming; they’re manipulating public perception, which ultimately stifles genuine conversation and understanding.