My take is a little different on these History Channel Ancient Aliens series videos.I tend to agree, where it was such a taboo a few years ago, now it's hip to be into the Alien phenomenon, but the way that it has been disclosed does a lot more harm than good.
I suppose it is the lack of awareness or interest in UFOs or life on other planets that is part of the drive to get the public attention. Many times even when they don't get it exactly "right" according to some of our standards there are on-site views that most of us would never even get to see otherwise.
Actually, many times they do question the motives these visitors past and present may have to visit earth. Questionable intentions for abductions or why they used advanced technology to build such megalithic structures does get asked along with the "how did they do this" questions.
I do get annoyed when they come up with what seems to be a possible answer without much support to a question with "Ancient astronaut theorists say yes".
As far as UFOs or the paranormal reports on MSM news reports you used to have to throw in the giggles at the end to avoid ridicule. The taboo (which is I think an intentional one) is still there. Once you try to hide or cover-up the sightings, abductions or missing people it is no easy task to then decide that now is the time to disclose information "gradually". Whatever the motive may be to do a gradual disclosure I think many will have a difficult time accepting life on other planets/dimensions/densities.
I cannot say what is "more harm than good" when it comes to disclosure. Truth vs lies seems to be best to me but how that is digested or accepted is yet to be seen I think. Life on other planets does not even have to be advanced civilizations to frighten some of the public. The reactions of more than one strata of the population makes it a complex situation.
Session 11 August 1996:
Q: (T) I have a question. They're going to display live organisms, like, how did they put that 'Living organisms'? How big are these living organisms going to be? How advanced?
A: Teeny-tiny.
Q: (T) So, we're still talking about microscopic organisms here?
A: Yes.
Q: (J) So, they won't wave at us!
A: But these will be alive. Can't you see the progression here? "Don't want to scare Grandma Sally Bible Thumper/Stockmarket Investor!"