'Moral Panic' and Moral Language in the Media

The article “‘Moral Panic’ and Moral Language in the Media” written by Arnold Hunt explores the subject of moral panic and its role in society. The scope of the article covers the history of mass panic, three theories of how it is created and it’s uses in society. The article shows how moral panic is a useful tool in controlling the general public and isolating sub cultural groups. Moral panic stems from a condition, episode, person or group of people who become defined as a threat to societal values and interests. This is then presented in a stereotypical view by the mass media (Hunt 630). The article explains that these groups are used as scapegoats to put all of societies fears onto. The activities of the Mods and Rockers were not the problem in a limited and temporary sense but the underlying cause of the moral panic was the cultural strain and ambiguity caused by social change.  One theory explains how moral panic transcends time. It shows how in early modern Scotland witch hunts occurred at moments of political tension often during the transition to a new regime (Hunt 632). This shows that underlying social issues are the root of moral panic but are exacerbated by stereotypical mass media coverage. Supporters of ‘moral panic’ have argued that the term is still relevant to the media now as it was to the relatively unsophisticated reporting of the Mods and Rockers in the 1960’s. This article shows how mass panic was created around the Mods through mass media. This is a very informative and detailed article that explains mass panic in society and how it is created.

                                                                                                                          

            Link to Article: ‘Moral Panic’ and Moral Language in the Media

List of Works Cited

Hunt, Arnold. “’Moral Panic’ and Moral Language in the Media.” The British Journal of Sociology 48 (1997): 629-648.