Jacko many thanks for a considered view from a "sensible" journo. I agree with just about everything in your post - which is more than I often do.
I was at Aldergrove in '94 at the time of the Mull crash - and you would just not believe some of the tricks the "reptiles" got up to to try and get in and/or to get info or piccies - and at what one would have hoped was a more secure than average air base.
Your point about "lack of media savvy" is both true and well made. Some lines I remember from various "meeja" courses I've done seem to get forgotten at times:
"The press can be your best friend or your worst enemy"
"Tell them something, however little; tell them nothing and they'll make something up to fill the vacuum." (or of course get J%hn N*c%ll to pontificate....)