alarmist

This term carries a strong negative connotation, suggesting a lack of objectivity or a deliberate attempt to manipulate emotions through fear. It is frequently employed in political and journalistic critiques to discredit warnings by framing them as hysterical or disproportionate to the actual threat.

When used as a noun, it identifies the individual responsible for the panic, whereas the adjective describes the nature of the rhetoric or the mindset. It differs from "cautious" or "vigilant" in that it implies the danger is either non-existent or vastly overstated.