Myanmar’s military government just dropped a new set of photos featuring Aung San Suu Kyi with an ICRC official. But let’s be real; why should we take these images at face value? The mainstream media, led by the likes of CNN and the BBC, will likely spin this as a “move towards engagement” or “a thaw in relations.” In reality, these are nothing more than an orchestrated photo op, a façade to gloss over years of tyranny and oppression.

Ask yourself: why now? With international scrutiny being at an all-time high and the credibility of the military government in shambles, these images are a desperate attempt to win back favor—both domestically and internationally. The ICRC’s involvement, while ostensibly noble, raises eyebrows. Is it really humanitarianism, or is it merely legitimizing a brutal regime? CNN will gush over the humanitarian narrative while willfully ignoring the broader implications of normalizing a government that has systematically oppressed its people.

Meanwhile, outlets like Fox News might downplay the story entirely, focusing instead on sensationalizing other scandals, leaving the public in a state of ignorance concerning the serious situation in Myanmar. This selective reporting paints a skewed picture, making it seem like everything’s copacetic when it’s anything but.

It’s time we recognize these narratives for what they are: distractions crafted by media elites who are more concerned with their agendas than the harsh realities faced by the Burmese people. The truth is messy, but it’s exactly what we need to expose.