A 28-year-old man has been re-arrested for suspicions of terrorism, and you can bet CNN will spin this into yet another fear-mongering headline. They’ll likely toss his mug on the screen while they drum up panic, leading you to believe it’s a clear sign of societal decay. Meanwhile, Fox News will grab hold of this story too, but likely with a narrative that emphasizes the threat, playing right into their audience’s anxieties about domestic terrorism. However, neither side is tackling the uncomfortable reality: this is yet another missed opportunity for genuine discourse on the root causes of such behavior.

What we’re seeing here is a classic case of media sensationalism. The establishment wants to see you afraid, nice and scared, because an afraid population is easier to control. They’ll dish out the details—he’s a “28-year-old man” as if to suggest he’s a typical representative of his generation—while glossing over critical factors likely surrounding his re-arrest. This is lazy journalism at its finest!

The man is not merely a statistic or a headline; he’s a human with issues complicated by life’s chaos. Instead of looking deeper, the media is falling back on its playbook of dramatic storytelling. Yet, if we want to tackle terrorism effectively, we need to start asking tough questions about mental health, socioeconomic conditions, and ideological influences. But that’s not sensational enough for CNN or Fox. Get ready for the usual cycle of fear, distraction, and ultimately more control.