So, “El Mayo,” the notorious co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, has been ordered to cough up a whopping $15 billion after admitting to moving mountains of drugs into the U.S. This is the kind of headline you’d expect to light a fire under the collective backside of the media. Yet, look at how the narrative is spun by outlets like CNN and NBC. Instead of focusing on the glaring failure of U.S. border security or drug policy, they’re more interested in sensationalizing crime and perpetuating a fear narrative that distracts the public from the government’s own incompetence.

These media giants simply churn out the same tired tropes: “Evil drug lord caught!” and “Crime is rampant!” without ever digging deeper into the systemic issues at play. They act as if the solution lies in more robust enforcement rather than addressing the social and economic factors driving drug trafficking. Where’s the accountability for lawmakers who’ve been perpetuating this failure for decades? Where’s the critical examination of how billions in taxpayer money is being squandered on a losing battle?

Meanwhile, outlets like Fox News have pivoted to use this as a rallying cry for stricter immigration and drug enforcement policies, conveniently ignoring that these policies have proven to be a total disaster. The disconnect is staggering: they’re looking for scapegoats without tackling the root causes. It’s time for an actual honest conversation about drugs and crime, not just more fearmongering from corporate media trying to score ratings. Stop letting them manipulate the narrative—we deserve better.