OK, crappy journalism aside. It's true the pax are usually white-knuckled when their aircraft has to go around - they have been told at ToD they are going to land at where-ever and that is what they expect! They've heard it from the pilot, and the purser during the descent briefings. They go into arrival mode (some crew do as well). As pointy-enders, we have the benefit of all our displays, and the best view on the a/c, as well as direct comms with ATC, so our perception of events is vastly different. It is SOP in the airline I work for to brief the missed approach procedure for every approach, and generally, it is flown on the automatics (that's why we pay so much for them), so LNAV and VNAV take care of the niceties (and don't piss off ATC). The worst G/A I have ever seen was flown by an experienced pilot who thought he was better than the automatics. And ATC were REALLY pissed off!
It is important for ONE of the pilots (P/F or PNF, it doesn't matter) to let the SLF know what is going on, but sometimes that is not feasible if an engine-out, or some other situation exists, where our time is taken up with emergency procedures. However, having said that, once we have the situation under control, we make every effort to keep all informed.
Journalists have a job to do. Some do it well - others use sensationalism to get out their copy. We do know the story - they don't. So no point getting upset unless you and your crew have screwed up - and if you have, have the balls to admit it. Just do it before the media catch on!
