Classified only means someone put a label on it to tell people what "box" to put it in and who could look in the box. When I was close to the game there were (if my memory is correct, somewhat dubious after this many years) 5 classifications where I worked. Bottom to top: Unclassified, Confidential, Secret, Top Secret, Weapons Data.
There are more classifications in grocery stores. There are meats, bottled water, cereal, canned vegetables, paper products. All classifications/classified.
The media uses words to gin up viewers. Words mean different things to different people. Media words are carefully chosen to be vague, so they mean to the viewer what that viewer wants to hear. That attracts a larger audience, therefore, money.
If you are told to "Look what's happening over there" you can be absolutely sure something of consequence is happening elsewhere.
Thank you,
MrSmith