Hernán Gil’s harrowing experience trapped under a collapsed car park isn’t just a story of survival; it’s a glaring reflection of how media outlets narrate crises. While Gil chanted encouragement to his rescuers, you can bet CNN, MSNBC, and their ilk pushed the “everyman” angle to build a heartwarming narrative, because who doesn’t love a good hero story? They gloss over the systemic failures that lead to such dangerous situations in the first place, focusing instead on the emotional beats to keep viewers glued to the screen.

Meanwhile, Fox News will probably spin this into a tale of community resilience—giant flags waving, inspirational music in the background—while conveniently sidestepping any critique of local government oversight. They’ll champion the heroic rescue but fail to hold anyone accountable for the negligence that led to the collapse.

The tragic irony is that both sides are so engrossed in their scripted narratives that they miss the bigger picture: a failure of infrastructure and accountability. This isn’t about making you feel good on a Sunday; it’s about recognizing that when the cameras stop rolling, real people are left with real problems. Are the media truly serving the public, or are they simply capitalizing on human suffering for clicks and ratings?

To be clear, this is not a call for pandemonium. It’s a wake-up call to start asking tougher questions rather than settling for the feel-good stories that cover up the rot beneath. If we’re going to cheer for Hernán Gil, let’s also demand answers for why he was in danger in the first place. That’s the narrative we need to amplify, not this sugar-coated rescue tale.