The recent earthquake that upended Mexico and Guatemala is an opportunity for the mainstream media to showcase not only their ability to cover disasters but also their talent for spinning narratives. A clip of a truck struggling against a massive landslide is making rounds, but do you hear any of these self-styled “news” outlets addressing the infrastructure failures that exacerbate these natural disasters? Of course not. Instead, they’re more focused on scare tactics to keep you glued to your screens while hiding away the real discussions about preparedness, resilience, and environmental policy.

CNN, with its salacious headlines and fear-mongering, will run stories that dramatize the human interest aspect—after all, viewers love a good tragedy! But will they delve into the poor construction standards in seismic-prone areas? Or Fox News, who’ll certainly capitalize on the event for sensationalism while neglecting the systemic issues that require accountability? They would rather shout slogans than have an actual conversation about why so many lives are thrown into chaos when “Mother Nature” strikes. Talk about a missed opportunity!

Mainstream coverages like these do more than inform; they pave the way for political agendas. They ignore local voices, dismissing the on-the-ground struggles and resilience of communities in favor of clicks and views. When will we demand better? When will we challenge these “news” giants on their shallow narratives? It’s high time we hold them accountable for their sensationalism instead of protecting corporate interests. Disaster response isn’t just about the earthquake; it’s about the response to the vulnerabilities that exist long before the ground shakes.