n a startling turn of events, Western media have once again demonstrated that they are as much the star of the show as the events they purport to cover. As the world reels from the devastating impact of yet another conflict in Gaza, a closer examination of the media coverage reveals a narrative that might as well have been taken from an Onion-style satire.

If you've been keeping an ear to the ground or, heaven forbid, actually watching the news, you might have been misled into thinking the only real tragedy here is the misfortune of Israeli civilians. "Goodness, what atrocities Hamas has committed!" proclaim Western pundits from their high horses, conveniently glossing over the disproportionate Palestinian death toll and the circumstances leading to it.

In a jaw-dropping display of tone-deafness, BBC Newsnight's handling of an interview with Husam Zomlot, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, could have easily been mistaken for a comedy sketch. When confronted with the personal tragedy of seven family members lost to Israeli bombs, the interviewer's primary concern was a rushed pivot to civilian deaths in Israel. A poignant moment for reflection on Palestinian loss? Nope. Just another opportunity to center the narrative on Israel.

One can't help but wonder if this is some sort of twisted game show where the objective is to make Palestinian voices take responsibility for all regional violence. "Ding, ding, ding! You've expressed personal sorrow? Please also account for all acts of resistance and condemn anyone who ever acted against Israeli interests!"

Meanwhile, the Israeli victims glide through interviews without ever facing questions about the controversial actions of their government. The audience at home is left without critical perspectives, pondering why the people of Gaza might have any grievances in the first place. A brief history lesson or an inquiry into the 16-year blockade might be illuminating, but alas, that's not on the media's agenda.

In a move that no one saw coming (except everyone), the Western media have exposed their own cultural and societal biases more clearly than ever before. As if reading from a script penned by the ghost of Edward Said, they continue to frame the narrative in a manner that reeks of colonialist attitudes, white supremacy, and a side of Islamophobia.

The treatment of Ukraine's resistance in contrast to Gaza's struggle is like comparing apples and very, very suppressed oranges. The glaring inconsistencies in media framing make one thing clear: these distortions aren't innocent oversights; they're reflections of deep-rooted societal biases.

The media's reluctance to showcase Palestinian humanity might be surprising if one isn't familiar with the West's historical penchant for anti-Semitism and current appetite for Islamophobia. While anti-Semitism has (rightfully) been denounced in the aftermath of the Holocaust, anti-Arab sentiment remains very much in vogue.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the Western media circus surrounding the Gaza conflict isn't about the Middle East at all, but rather a stark reflection of Western culture's own unresolved biases and prejudices. The media, in its chase for "objectivity", ends up revealing more about its own cultural backdrop than the events it claims to cover.

But let's end on a hopeful note. While the media may be entrenched in outdated notions, the people are pushing back. Massive demonstrations in support of Palestinians in Europe and North America serve as a powerful reminder: while the media's narrative may be skewed, the people's hearts are in the right place. The challenge now is for media practitioners to catch up.

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