My perception is the opposite– the media have been bending over (in both senses) to convey the message that things have not yet reached the point where great concern, beyond the immediate vicinity, is warranted.

Your own comments echo this narrative. I think, of the competing narratives, the notion that harm has been largely contained is the one that is more misleading. The general public has been exposed in levels that deaths, severe illnesses, and birth defects will occur. To suggest otherwise is to strain credulity at this point.

For people not on site, precautions are highly recommended (or put differently, not taking precautions is verging on foolish) but folks should remain calm and not be spooked; maximum levels for public exposure are deliberately set very low and it takes much higher doses to cause a measurable change in various cancer rates. I’m not saying this isn’t nasty shit, just that the news sells better if people are left in fear. Personally I prefer numbers to give people an idea of what the various risks are; unfortunately the news writers and/or editors don’t seem interested in that at all.