I agree with this, although this is, as you have stated, a media portrayal issue and NOT an issue of whether or not the individual genuinely has difficulty identifying the consequences of their actions.

If they do have such difficulties (as many autistics do) then it is important for these to be acknowledged so that appropriate support can be put in place to ensure the individual's safety and to facilitate their independent living.

The same difficulties with media portrayal exist with mental health issues. This doesn't mean that people should argue that mental health issues don't exist or aren't disabling - this just means that there should be better regulations governing the media portrayal of people with disabilities.

Not necessarily. If this is done within the context of responsible reporting (so that the facts are explained clearly rather than essentially implying that people on the autistic spectrum are tantamount to psychopaths) then it would be far less 'harmful' - if at all.

Some autistics do have difficulty controlling their actions, and this should be recognised and acknowledged in order that autistics can access the support that they need and should be entitled to.

Ideally, it would be the lack of support for autistics that is demonised in the press and not autistics themselves.