Amidst the chaos of upheaval in American politics, the expulsion of Representative George Santos from Congress has quickly become a headline-grabbing spectacle. Since December 1st (the day of Santos’ expulsion), newspapers from across the country have detailed his post-Congress life on their front page, sparing none of the juicy details. Meanwhile, an estimated 20,000 Palestinians and Israelies lay dead in the Middle East. Sadly, this disproportionate media attention is nothing new; trivial issues prevailing against a background of global crises has become a concerning trend in contemporary American journalism.

Modern media outlets are driven by a desire for an increase in readers and engagement, so it's no wonder they choose to write about more taboo topics over complex and challenging narratives. The intensified coverage of Santos's expulsion is no exception, with it taking precedence over urgent and far-reaching global issues, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict. The nature of Santos' offenses effortlessly lends itself to sensationalism, with details of his post-congress life inviting readers into a scandalous account that captivates public attention. On the contrary, the Israel-Palestine conflict involves multifaceted geopolitical dynamics, historical complexities, and humanitarian intricacies that may not lend themselves as readily to the concise, attention-grabbing format that dominates modern news consumption.

This distorted sense of news values is contributing to a public perception that downplays the severity and complexity of global issues. This is not only an injustice to both Israeli and Palestinian people alike, but it serves as a disservice to the growth of the American public as well, as it is halting the development of informed and engaged citizenry. The Israel-Palestine crisis is a longstanding, deeply rooted issue with far-reaching consequences, and deserves comprehensive and sustained media attention. In our modern age, the media, specifically news sites, serve as a huge player in the spread of information. With issues such as humanitarian crises already being extremely neglected, news outlets choosing to further distract the public is morally wrong, and should not be tolerated.

The sensationalism of George Santos’ expulsion from Congress and its prioritization in the media over the current Israel Palestine conflict begs for a reevaluation of the values and priorities shaping our news’ landscape. While Santos's scandal may offer a momentarily exciting storyline, a deeper question emerges: What narratives are we prioritizing, and at what cost? Editorial decisions shape our public perceptions, and by choosing eye-catching headlines over the profound human consequences of geopolitical conflict, the media is undermining the importance of humanitarian crises. It prompts a call for a reshaping of editorial choices, urging a shift toward narratives that not only capture attention but also contribute meaningfully to public discourse and a deeper understanding of the intricate global challenges we face.