Moral Panics

• Moral Panic- Defined

  An exaggerated over-reaction by society to a perceived problem which has been driven or inspired by the media. The reaction enlarges this problem out of proportion, to a real seriousness. Media identify a group of 'folk devils', a threat to societal values and they represent this group an a negative, stereotypical manner to further the scale. Moral entrepreneurs then condemn the group and their behaviour.
• Moral Panic- Impacts

  A moral panic usually leads to a 'crackdown' on the group, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy which amplifies the problem that caused the panic. As crackdown identifies more deviants, they call for tougher action, creating the 'Deviance Amplification Spiral'.
• Mods and Rockers: Cohen

  Analysed media responses to disturbances between 2 groups of largely working class teenagers. The groups were distinct, and these became more clear-cut as a result of the moral panic. There were initial confrontations in 1960s, but all disorder was relatively minor, the media over-reacted.
• Mods and Rockers: Cohen; Media's Reporting Techniques

  Exaggeration & Distortion: exaggerating numbers involved, extent of damage through sensational headlines; even non-events were news (towns 'held their breath' for invasions which didn't materialise).
• Mods and Rockers: Cohen; Media's Reporting Techniques

  Prediction: the media regularly assumed and predicted further conflict and violence would result.
• Mods and Rockers: Cohen; Media's Reporting Techniques

  Symbolisation: symbols of mods and rockers- their clothes, bikes, hairstyles, music, etc- were all negatively labelled and associated with deviance. The medias use of these symbols meant they could link unconnected events, so that it was seen as a more general underlying problem of disorderly youth.
• Deviance Amplification Spiral: Cohen

  The medias portrayal made it seem as if the problem was spreading and becoming out of control. Calling for increased control responses- producing further marginalisation and stigmatisation. Media amplified deviance by defining the 2 groups and their subcultural styles, meaning more youths could adopt them, and join these new tight-knit gangs. Encouraging polarisation and more conflict (SFP).
• The Wider Context: Cohen

  In post-war Britain, newfound consumerism, affluence, and pleasure, the young then appeared to challenge the values of older generation. Argues they occur in times of social change, reflecting anxieties people feel when accepted values are undermined. Claiming moral panic was caused due to boundary crisis- boundaries between what is and isn't acceptable change. Folk devils symbolises the popular anxieties about social disorder.
• Moral Panics- Functionalist Perspective

  Seen as a way of responding to a sense of anomie (normlessness) created by change. Dramatising a threat to society in the form of a folk devil, the media then raises the collective consciousness and reasserts social controls when the central values are threatened.
• Moral Panics- Neo-Marxist Perspective

  Hall et al locates the role of moral panics within the context of capitalism. Arguing that moral panics over 'mugging' in British media in 1970s served to distract attention from the crisis of capitalism, dividing the working class on racial grounds, and legitimate an authoritarian style of rule.
• Moral Panics- Criticisms

  It assumes that societal reaction is disproportionate, but who is to decide what the appropriate level of panic is? This relates to the Left Realist view as they argue that the fear of crime is rational.
• Moral Panics- Criticisms

  What turns an amplifier on and off: why are the media able to amplify some problems into a panic, but not others? Why do panics not go onto increase indefinitely once they have started?
• Moral Panics- Criticisms

  Late Modernity: todays audience are more accustom to shock, horror stories, so will they react with panic to media exaggerations? McRobbie and Thornton: moral panics are now routine and have less of an impact. There is now less of a consensus about what is deviant- lifestyle choices which were condemned before, like single motherhood, are no longer universally seen as deviant- making the creation of a moral panic harder.
• Cyber-Crime:

  Arrival of new media is often met with moral panics. E.g. horror comics, cinema, TV, videogames have all been accused of undermining public morality and corrupting the young. The same is true for the internet- due to its speed of development and scale: 2/3s of the worlds population is now online.
• Cyber-Crime: 'Computer-Mediated Activities'

  The arrival of the internet had led to fears of cyber-crime. Thomas and Loader: define them as activities that are either illegal, or considered illicit by some, and that are conducted through global electronic networks.
• Cyber-Crime:

  Jewkes: notes that the internet create opportunities to commit both 'conventional crimes' (such as fraud) and 'new crimes using new tools' (such as software piracy).
• Cyber-Crime: Wall- 4 Categories of Cyber-Crime

  Cyber-Trespass: crossing boundaries into others' cyber property, including hacking & sabotage.

  Cyber-Deception & Theft: identity theft & phishing.

  Cyber-Pornography.

  Cyber-Violence: doing psychological harm, includes cyber-stalking.

  Global Cyber-Crime: issues with jurisdiction, and police give it low priority as it is seen as lacking excitement.
• Cyber-Crime: AO3

  However, new ICT provides police and the state with greater opportunities for surveillance and control of the population. Jewkes: argues ICT permits routine surveillance using CCTV cameras, electronic databases, digital fingerprinting, and identity cards. Installation of listening devices (called 'carnivores') can monitor email traffic.