I think the point is that it's interesting in the "this is getting more frightening, we're at a precipice in human history" sense, not the "wow, now this is a new atrocity" sense. Considering it really is what everyone is focusing on, can they be blamed for wanting the interesting news to be, I dunno, more life affirming perhaps.

Or were we just too bored with the news having to dig for, or contrive, frightening material