I, too, have noticed that over the years. And I think I have an answer. Just for maybe once the media is doing something for a good reason. You see, I suspect that there are organizations which keep public records (for their clients which would be companies, universities, etc.) of people involved in criminal activities (perhaps to weed out those people who apply for positions and for which there are incomplete official records of having committed--or attempted to commit--criminal acts). So, these organizations use media (esp. newspaper accounts) records to flesh out info. on these creeps.
Just a guess but it makes sense to the OldPossum.
I was a TV reporter. The media doesn't "like" to give out full names, they just don't want a slew of lawsuits from people with similar names.
It's better to cover your a@@ with "John Gazoonga Smith," as opposed to "John Smith."