The fire that broke out in a 10-storey block in Linkeroever, Belgium, might as well be a case study in media negligence. While local news outlets scramble for any footage and details, the big players like CNN and BBC seem largely absent. Why? Because a fire in a lesser-known district doesn’t fit the glowing narrative they love to push—social decay, government incompetence, or the next big political scandal in their quest to manipulate the public’s emotional response.

When covering these events, you’ll find that mainstream media outlets often sift through tragedy like it’s a buffet, looking for the juiciest morsel they can sensationalize. You won’t hear about the heroes who intervene or the communal efforts to rebuild. Instead, you’re blasted with vague speculation and dramatic reenactments—a classic CNN approach where victimhood is played up, and local character is drowned out by live feeds of smoke and chaos.

Meanwhile, regional outlets may struggle to make the same impact, but they provide essential community context that the giants ignore. Fox News will be quick to capitalize on fear-mongering angles if it suits their agenda, but they too often miss the boat on real local experiences. If we’re ever going to bring about genuine change when it comes to reporting, we need to call out these glaring omissions and shifts in focus. Fire isn’t just news; it’s about people, resilience, and real stories that matter beyond the sensationalist drama.