Read the comments at the end of the article. Pretty telling how the public feels about drones, and each article like this just adds flame to the fire of public sentiment.
We, as hobbyists, are faced with two hurdles: First, the media who spreads the fire, and Second, the drone owners who fly stupid and feed the flame that the media keeps stoking with their examples.
Some here on this forum advocate that we push the boundaries which will gain us the freedom to fly where ever we please. While that sounds nice to read in a forum, I think the reality is the public sentiment is far more powerful, and flying stupid is not swaying that sentiment to our side, instead they are pushing back.
Edit: To clarify, I am not judging this drone pilot's flight as safe or stupid, I don't have the information to make that judgement. But to the public, this was stupid, and that is what we have to battle.