I'd say it was a scam to drop the price low so some whales could get some cheap coins!
I totally agree that it could be a noob trap to get panic selling going. This is what has been happening for centuries in the traditional financial markets so as long as Bitcoin is primarily another speculation coin it is going to happen here so the Rich can hoard even more coin and fleece the inexperienced panic sellers yet again.
I think what we all need to remember is that WE practically run this thing. Obviously this is an exaggeration, but Bitcoin is STILL so new, and the people here on this forum are at the forefront of it all, AND the miners. Mass media will be mass media, but I guarantee that we the people will not let this thing fail...