Because the viewers or readers are so obsessed with it. If there wasn't a market for it they wouldn't cover it. If you Fred lovers stop talking about him, it will magically go away. And next time someone in the media tweets about Fred, don't respond.
(When I say "You Fred lovers" not talking about the person I replied to)
IDK in a market like DSM the media likes to drum up and pre-create this “obsession” and then really stick it in by saying “YOU wanted this” the next day. Murph is really bad with that. Gets all defensive when people call him out on it.