Fear-Mongering in Media Since 9/11 – Distraction Technique?

If all that the media fear-mongers about is really real or possible or likely then my question about that is aren’t they just giving their “enemies” all kinds of ideas? I mean what sense does it actually make to broadcast around the world “we are vulnerable here and here and here?” It doesn’t make sense. That’s not rocket-science. So are we being fooled? Are we distracted or are we still in search of what is really what?
I don’t pretend to know if 9/11 was perpetrated by that guy who lives in caves or not but doesn’t it stike you as rather odd that the mighty U.S. cannot catch or find or kill him? Or that they apparently had him once and somehow didn’t follow up themselves but sent others from another country to do so and surprise – he got away. It strikes me as very odd.