Colombia just made a move that could have serious implications: it enacted a landmark bill banning female genital mutilation (FGM) among certain indigenous groups. But don’t expect the mainstream media to celebrate this as a victory for women’s rights. Outlets like CNN might paint it as a progressive milestone, glossing over the fact that this practice persists due to cultural traditions and the complexities of indigenous rights. They likely won’t tackle the uncomfortable truth that banning FGM presents a clash between human rights advocacy and cultural sovereignty.

Then there’s NBC, which is likely to push a narrative about needing to “protect vulnerable populations” while conveniently sidestepping the delicate nuances of how this law might be perceived by the affected communities. How do you “protect” a culture without imposing external moral standards? It’s a classic case of white saviorism masquerading as advocacy, with journalists more interested in their narratives than the complexities of the issue at hand.

Fox News might brush it off as a minor story, focusing instead on sensational clicks for ratings. Expect sensationalized headlines that ignite outrage without penetrating the actual dialogue that needs to happen around FGM. This isn’t just a “bad” cultural practice; it’s an intricate issue that deserves nuanced discussion, yet corporate media prefers sound bites over substance.

In short, the coverage surrounding Colombia’s FGM bill is a classic example of how corporate media often misses the mark, pandering to outrage or simplistic narratives while ignoring the messy reality on the ground. It’s high time we demand more than just clickbait from our news sources.