Neville
Interesting thing that PAN call. I mean what is it and is it defined by unambiguous objective criteria? Urgency. Pretty loose term that can mean different things to different people.
At least MAYDAY is fairly objectively defined as grave and imminent danger.
Landing with 2 tons in the tank versus 500 kg in the tank are two different states with different ramifications.
I would suggest that the later would be considered grave and imminent.
By ICAO definition at least.
In so far as the media is concerned they are only interested in sensationalism I would suggest. As such they are bound to concentrate on an aircraft that declares any type of emergency. Thats just how they work.
I would like to think that the crews involved on the day had more immediate issues to attend to, rather than worry about the media attention.