I'm not sure if that is so. One reason is that I rarely follow any news in the mass media. ☺ Also, the bitcoin price has experienced several spikes, even when it was less than #10. Surely, back in those days, the spikes were not the result of a media focus or media exaggeration.

Most likely, the 2017 spike was partly owing to the fact that bitcoin is becoming better known. And, of course, once it surpassed $10,000, the media started covering it more and more. That may have played a part in the spike, but I believe it was a secondary cause.