On the eve of a seemingly innocent football match, a missile strike claimed the lives of Mohammed al-Wahidi and three others, and yet all I see from mainstream media giants like CNN and BBC is their typical spin. Instead of focusing on the horrific implications of government-sanctioned violence, they frame it as just another tragic incident in an intractable conflict. The tragedy is that the sensationalism of the match overshadows the need for honest conversation and accountability.

Take a step back and ask yourself: why is it that we’re not seeing hard-hitting questions directed at the Israeli government? Where are the express condemnations? Fox News, a supposed champion of free speech and accountability, was quick to gloss over the deeper implications of this strike while throwing around empty platitudes about “collateral damage.” They’ve turned coverage of real human suffering into a contextual detail, fitting it neatly into their narratives.

These networks are masters at deflection. Instead of diving into the ethical abyss of state-sponsored murder, they distract their audiences with cheerleading for sports events. Are we really that easily swayed? In the age of information, we have access to the truth if we dare to look beyond the smoke and mirrors erected by those uninterested in the actual story.

Question everything. The moment you start settling for superficial narratives, you give power to those who profit from your ignorance.