Here’s a perfect example of how corporate media spins narratives: the portrayal of the sand portrait of Egypt coach Hossam Hassan created by artists in Gaza. Instead of celebrating the resilience and creativity born out of hardship, outlets like CNN and BBC focus on the tragedy of the region to reinforce the long-standing victim narrative. Meanwhile, they use this artistic expression as a mere backdrop to push their predetermined storylines—one where the overwhelming sadness of Gaza overshadows the human spirit itself.

But let’s call it what it is: an attempt to depict the Middle East as a stagnant pool of despair, where innovation and artistic achievement simply don’t fit the mold. If you were to tune in to these networks, you’d think the only talent bubbling up from this region is war and conflict. Yet here we have local artists crafting a fascinating tribute, highlighting not only their love for football but their indomitable spirit. Contrast that with Fox News, which would likely pick this up only to fit it into a redacted version of Middle Eastern politics—because let’s face it, they love sensationalism too.

Why do these media giants eschew nuanced stories like this? Because they crave simplistic narratives that reinforce the viewer’s established beliefs, rather than challenging us to see the complexity of humanity. It’s high time we force them to account for the richness and fullness of life that exists even in a challenging environment like Gaza. Let’s stop letting them dictate the conversation with their narrow, self-serving frames.