Everyday in television we see something that induces some sort of fear in us. Whether it be a frightening story in the news or the fact that we might not look good without some hair care product. The mass media exaggerates things like this so that Americans will preoccupy their lives with worry and fear. It is how advertisements rely on us to buy their products. Though it may not be terrorism, it is still fear.
Everyday doses of fear change the way people think, bit by bit.
For a better perception, watch Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" as he discusses the way the mass media has subtly done this to us.
The mass media needs some sort of regulation that will stop this fear mongering; people should not be fed media that will scare them into staying home & relying on the government.