Moral Panics and the Media

Author: (British) Chris Cheverton
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: The concept of "moral panic" is often used to explain people's reactions to social issues. This book explores the utility of the "moral panic model," helping us analyze and understand how politicians, the public, and pressure groups deal with new threats to social order. The book meticulously examines the role of the media, particularly the role of various popular publications. The author first introduces two "moral panic models," then applies these models to a series of case studies: AIDS, rave/psychedelic drugs, horror videos, child abuse, and pedophilia. After comparing situations in some countries, the author points out that these phenomena share both fundamental similarities and significant differences across different national contexts. A growing focus on the threats faced by children is a common phenomenon, evoking sympathy for innocent children. The book argues that moral panic remains a useful analytical tool but needs to be systematically connected to broader theoretical thinking, with particular attention to risk society theory and discourse analysis theory.