Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs has accused Western mainstream media of normalizing violence through selective reporting following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran. In a March 2026 interview with CGTN America, Sachs argued that media outlets are engaging in "narrative control" to justify aggressive actions, warning that this approach risks desensitizing the public to mass casualties in conflict zones.
The noted economist highlighted what he described as a growing pattern of propaganda in international coverage, particularly regarding Middle Eastern geopolitics. "When military strikes occur, the human consequences often get buried under political framing," Sachs stated, emphasizing the need for balanced reporting in tense global situations.
While not commenting directly on specific military operations, Sachs praised alternative media platforms for providing what he called "ground-level perspectives" often missing from Western coverage. His remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf region this year, with multiple nations accelerating diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
