"Public panic" refers to a situation where a large number of people are extremely fearful or anxious about something, leading to a sense of chaos or unease within the community. Full definition
Gamers are no stranger to ill - informed public panic at video games or even tabletop games by government and public figures. (nonfictiongaming.com)
The piece examines a burst of media coverage and public panic after some studies hinted at raised childhood leukemia risk near power lines nearly a quarter century ago. (dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com)
The novel State of Fear by Michael Crichton, published in December 2004, describes a conspiracy by scientists and others to create public panic about global warming. (en.wikipedia.org)