The news of an outspoken artist being detained for ‘insulting a constitutional institution’ in mid-July is a prime example of how the mainstream media operates under a double standard. While independent voices are silenced, the likes of CNN and MSNBC play gatekeepers, controlling the narrative to fit their agendas. These outlets pounce on any semblance of dissent to call it “dangerous,” while ignoring more egregious violations of free speech happening under their noses. It’s a sick joke.

Look at how the corporate media swoops in when the government goes after a critic. They paint this artist as a “menace” rather than a brave figure standing up for the First Amendment. All the while, conservative voices caught in similar situations are either called “rebels” or completely disregarded. Fox News may spotlight the issue briefly, but they’re complicit in the overall silencing of dissent when it doesn’t fit their narrative. Meanwhile, platforms like Twitter have become battlegrounds where certain speech is promoted and others are banned.

What does this say about our media landscape? It’s disheartening and downright hypocritical. If you don’t fit neatly into the boxes defined by these corporate titans, your voice risks being obliterated. This isn’t just about one artist—it’s about the fundamental right to speak freely without the iron fist of a government or media conglomerate weighing down on you. The time has come to wake up and challenge the narratives being force-fed to us.