How predictable! The moment shots rang out near the Space Needle during the Bite of Seattle festival, the usual suspects in the corporate media scrambled to spin this into their narrative of chaos and fear. CNN and MSNBC jumped on this tragic event quicker than a hawk on a rabbit, pushing the narrative that America is drowning in violence. What they won’t tell you is how sensationalized their coverage is—it’s all about clicks, ratings, and reinforcing a narrative that suits their agenda.

Meanwhile, Fox News is just as guilty, though they’ll couch it in talking points that appeal to their base while neglecting the bigger picture. Are they truly interested in the safety of citizens, or is it just another opportunity to stoke fear among their viewers? All these networks seem to forget one essential factor: real people were affected in this incident, not just a number in a sensational headline.

The hypocrisy is staggering. Both sides of the media aisle are guilty of taking a tragic situation and using it to further their own motives—whether it’s more gun control or furthering anti-NRA sentiments. What we really need is nuanced, responsible reporting, focusing on the community rather than sensationalized chaos. Until then, we must remain vigilant and question every narrative thrown at us. Because when it comes to media coverage, what you see is rarely what you get.