For those who think mainstream news is not the entertainment and propaganda arm of Big Everything, it is worth taking stock of what isn’t in the headlines. And compare that to the partial gravity of what is.

Congo. Another 750 people died unnecessarily—from malaria. Just like yesterday, the day before, tomorrow… Daily trend continues.

Nigeria (Borno County): Over 50 people died in the last 24 hours from Boko Haram atrocities and malaria. An average day on the neighbourhood.

Afghanistan: Reports hit the lines: 100 people died from malaria and 40 perish in the cold. Afghanistan Press reports get lost in translation.

Yemen (Saada province): Claims around 50 people died from cholera. Difficult to confirm right now as we only have three years’ of similar daily figures to compare against these recent outrageous claims.

Sudan: Scene of everyone’s favourite forgotten genocide. Our special correspondent, recently landed from Gaza, passed on the figures of 50–200/day from violence/typhoid/malaria during offensives. UN logged it; but clearly the news never made it to Reuters, due to Elon sky train technical difficulties.

This level of hypocrisy is content gold for writers who blend real world absurdities with hard-nosed unglamorous noir. The non news, an endless stream of opportunity for exposés.

All tragedy is just that, a solemn reminder of the hardship being endured on a daily basis globally. But let’s not kid ourselves, the selective drip feed of tragic news on TV and online is just a sliver of the fall-out of the decisions and strategies of the few running Big Everything including Big Media..