[SimonPStevens]

While I mostly agree, it is a touch more subtle than this metaphor.

Shouting fire in a crowded theatre doesn't typically cause the fire to get worse.

A major newspaper breaking news of an impending bank run, does have the likelihood of actually being the thing that triggers the bank run, or maybe making it much worse.

[scarmig]

Just because I love torturing an analogy until I can get it to confess all its sins...

It's most like a theater having a squad of firefighters on hand, who most people ignore, as the theater has told them that the usher will let them know if a fire gets out of hand. One day the usher sees all the firefighters freaking out and quietly running for the exit, and his response is to flee for the exit himself and leave everyone remaining to fend for themselves.

I do get the moral complexities here, but the takeaway for us plebs in the audience is to not trust the usher to look out for our lives.

[wisty]

If you shout fire in a crowded theatre, people will be crushed as they run for the exit.

[LBarret]

It depends on how you shout. People won't stampede if they trust the leading authority, if there is credibility and competence.