This cartoon, too, is looking at too narrow a scope.

The media are about keeping people panicking. If a week passes when the public aren't scared, the media consider it their sworn duty to make up and start selling a new Phony Emergency of the Week!

Race (and other) bias is just one possible place they look in which to script each new PEotW. The environment and economy are frequent choices, too.

When in doubt, always refuse to panic. Even in the rare event that there is a real emergency, you'll be better off.