diff --git a/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/adapters/viewholder/directmessages/DirectItemMediaViewHolder.java b/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/adapters/viewholder/directmessages/DirectItemMediaViewHolder.java
index fb7df861..c3dfa666 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/adapters/viewholder/directmessages/DirectItemMediaViewHolder.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/adapters/viewholder/directmessages/DirectItemMediaViewHolder.java
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ public class DirectItemMediaViewHolder extends DirectItemViewHolder {
         incomingRoundingParams = RoundingParams.fromCornersRadii(dmRadiusSmall, dmRadius, dmRadius, dmRadius);
         outgoingRoundingParams = RoundingParams.fromCornersRadii(dmRadius, dmRadiusSmall, dmRadius, dmRadius);
         setItemView(binding.getRoot());
-        removeBg();
     }
 
     @Override
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/adapters/viewholder/directmessages/DirectItemViewHolder.java b/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/adapters/viewholder/directmessages/DirectItemViewHolder.java
index e977622c..efffd226 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/adapters/viewholder/directmessages/DirectItemViewHolder.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/adapters/viewholder/directmessages/DirectItemViewHolder.java
@@ -100,9 +100,7 @@ public abstract class DirectItemViewHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
             binding.ivProfilePic.setVisibility(View.GONE);
             binding.tvUsername.setVisibility(View.GONE);
             containerLayoutParams.gravity = Gravity.CENTER;
-            if (itemType == DirectItemType.ACTION_LOG || itemType == DirectItemType.VIDEO_CALL_EVENT) {
-                binding.messageInfo.setVisibility(View.GONE);
-            }
+            binding.messageInfo.setVisibility(View.GONE);
         }
         if (itemType == DirectItemType.REEL_SHARE) {
             containerLayoutParams.setMarginStart(0);
@@ -119,6 +117,10 @@ public abstract class DirectItemViewHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
                                            messageInfoPaddingSmall,
                                            dmRadiusSmall);
         }
+        if (itemType == DirectItemType.MEDIA) {
+            // no background for media items
+            binding.background.setBackgroundResource(0);
+        }
         binding.messageTime.setText(DateFormat.getTimeFormat(itemView.getContext()).format(item.getDate()));
         if (messageDirection == MessageDirection.OUTGOING) {
             if (item.isPending()) {