Rupert Murdoch, the most powerful media man of the last thirty years once remarked that “From the beginning on, newspapers have prospered for one reason: giving readers the news that they want.” This insight from a man that has seen it all is worth dissecting. If you study the modus operandi of media organizations in the United States and other parts of the democratic world, you will see a pattern that is in line with the above statement. The liberal audience that is courted by CNN, expects CNN to always publish anti-conservative stories. They are not bothered if facts and figures are skewed and interpreted to massage and confirm their biases. The same goes for Fox News, where the Murdoch family holds sway. They have been found wanting in many instances where their news anchors are ready to misconstrue facts to suit their preconceived conclusions with the objective of making their conservative audience happy and committed to their programming.

This same phenomenon is at play in the reportage of the ongoing FIFA 2022 World Cup. Kylian Mbappe, the French soccer superstar, is at the center of achieving many impossible goals. He has already achieved the first by helping his team to break the Winner’s Curse – where the defending champion is always eliminated at the group stage. This feat might be the easiest because the second or most daunting is his battle with the media. Mbappe has refused to talk to the media since the beginning of the tournament. Naomi Osaka did a similar thing many months ago but came out arguably losing the battle to the media. The media is almost omni-present, omni-potent, and omni-science, hence, going into a battle with them is usually ill-conceived. Notwithstanding, one of the most remarkable men to grace planet Earth with his presence – Nelson Mandela, famously said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Can Kylian Mbappe do it? Can he win the battle against the media? Time will tell. For now, Mbappe is doing what he knows how to do best – playing football at the highest level and helping his team to score crucial and great goals. And I believe this is the best strategy. Naomi Osaka failed in her battle with the press because she stopped winning. If the French superstar helps France to retain the World Cup, he would have silenced all naysayers and won his present battle with the media. Before this happens, he must remain focused on the next task at hand. One of the advantages of not talking to the press is that he has shielded himself from the controversy that some journalists stir with their insensitive questions like the question an Iranian journalist asked the captain of the US Men Soccer team – Tyler Adam recently. As the World Cup continues, we pray the unifying influence of sports unify the world regardless of our political, religious, or ideological leanings.

Ata Ukuta, Editor – Towncryyers