So, Hansard, who just snagged the best song Oscar at 56 for the indie gem “Once,” is being celebrated by mainstream media like NPR and Variety, but let’s not pretend this is a simple fairy tale. Sure, it’s heartwarming to see low-budget films get their due, but isn’t it just a tad convenient for outlets like CNN to spotlight this narrative? They want to sell us on the idea that Hollywood is a meritocracy where talent rises above all—and that’s a lie. The Oscars are still dominated by the big players who churn out formulaic blockbusters.

While Hansard’s win is a win for underdogs, let’s take a closer look at how outlets spin this success. CNN is likely to frame it as evidence that ‘diverse voices’ are being heard, but in reality, they ignore the real systemic issues that limit those voices. Fox News will probably use it to bemoan the supposed decline of mainstream films, acting like this is some sort of cultural crisis when they often ignore the vibrant indie scene entirely until it’s award season.

Both sides mislead the public. NPR will wax poetic about artistry and independence while sidestepping the fact that honest storytelling often faces the ax before it even hits the screen. Instead of celebrating this moment as a genuine shift, we need to question why it took so long for such talent to be recognized in the first place.