My observation has been that under the sensationalist business model we all share, most media outlets have been doing the same thing: scare and madden people, all for money and ratings. Which is utterly irresponsible. Ratings sure are lovely. But there has to be SOME decency?
Yep. Or commercial in a direct way, and then the business models should be... ah never mind. Also, I think that an even deeper problem is the distorted definition of success where it is defined as "owning as many people as possible" vs., say, "being happy and honorable."