Media wildfire over TSA pat-downs

Here's another overblown story that took shape on the Internet and has since been picked up by cable news, local TV, and the networks. Never mind that 99 percent of the two million passengers who get screened each day are unaffected by the TSA's new pat-down policy. From Howard Kurtz:

The narrative combines a number of elements: Hassled airline passengers (who can't relate to that?); terrorism concerns; invasion of privacy, and a hint of sexual naughtiness. But the key here is that every local news outlet in America could send a reporter or a crew to a nearby airport and grab a piece of the action.

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The controversy is perfect fodder in the holiday travel season. NBC Nightly News did four stories last week; the CBS Evening News did five. "Tonight, growing turbulence over security screening," Katie Couric said in a typical lead. And the hyperbole keeps rising. "TSA Backlash Reaches Epic New Heights," the Atlantic declared. "Frustration Over Airport Pat-Downs Boils Over," an MSNBC headline announced. The media are clearly in fan-the-flames mode.

Unfortunately, a few scattered stories of insensitive treatment by TSA personnel has further ignited the frenzy.