NW Lynn,  
So, do you feel the media has any responsibility at all for they report?  Is causing a panic OK, then?  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds_(radio_drama)#Public_reaction      It did cause panic in some, but not all people.  I believe if journalists wish to be taken seriously, they need to report the news, seriously.  Not rolling their eyes  or raising an eyebrow. There are ample editorialists for that.  Walter Cronkite was a liberal, but he was one of the best newsmen in history, in my opinion. I think it would behoove all journalists, everywhere, to study that man and emulate his presentation of the news.(BTW I do know "War of the Worlds" was a radio show...)