moral panics - media

Question 1

moral panics

Answer 1

• based on the media’s reaction to social groups or activities whoch are defined as threatening.
• media will report on such groups or events and as a result they create anxiety amongst the general public.

Question 2

newspapers

Answer 2

• play a key role in creating a moral panic.
• moral panics happen because society fails to adapt to dramatic social changes and as a result there is a sense of a loss of control over certain groups.
• journalists assume a shared moral concern, so by reporting these issues they are giving the public what they want.

Question 3

Marxists

Answer 3

• argue that the motivation in creating moral panics is profit because moral panics sell newspapers and create revenue for the ruling class.

Question 4

Distinguishing features

Answer 4

• increased public concern over the behaviour of a certain group - increased hostility towards the group
• a certain level of public opinion agreement that there is a real threat and that it is caused by the group
• moral panics appears and disappear very quickly.