If an issue or an action receives a lot of media coverage that presents it in a bad light, it can be said to be 'getting a lot of bad press'. It is obvious that a terrible or tragic incident would receive coverage like this, but if something is said to have received 'a lot of bad press', the idea is usually that this might have come as a surprise. If something goes wrong with an initially good idea or issue, it might get some 'bad press' that damages its reputation without it having a chance to prove itself worthy of consideration.

1. The government's new policy received a lot of bad press when it was first announced, but it has actually been highly effective at reducing crime. 

1. The company has been getting a lot of bad press lately for its treatment of staff, so they are undertaking a public relations campaign to improve their image.