To the average punter in the street (like me) flying is far more unnatural than sitting in the back of the No. 37 bus going to the town centre.
Its probably statistically more dangerous for them to sit in the back of the No. 37, but it doesn't feel that way. If the bus (presumably a double decker) goes round a corner a bit too quickly, and its unexpected, the punters will feel the angle and probably wonder if the bus will tip over onto its side. However as the average corner lasts for only a few seconds, the punters will have their fears calmed before they have time to really wonder about it. Also, in a serious bus crash, the assumption is "I'll probably be injured" but if the plane were to crash the assumption is "I'll probably die".
So don't be surprised about sensationalist journalism. It's merely reflecting the fellings of the average reader. If the average punter took the BA1234 as often as he took the No. 37, the wouldn't be any reports about 'near disasters.' So don't try to educate journalists, educate the customers down the back.
cur