Sociology G673 power and control Moral panics

A media inspired percieved threat to societys norms and values. In particular the media exaggerates stories of a moral dimension which often makes the problem worse.

• Identified 'problem'-->Simplify-->Stigmatize-->Media campaign for action-->Authorities respond

• Tiny incident in Margate
• Media exaggerated 'wrote a script' for a story that had not been written
• Mods and rockers turned up at Brighton on Whitson
• Heavy handed police
• All because the media hyped-up and exaggerated

Media define who the mods and rockers were and identify the differences

• Media got involved, condemning drug culture 'evil nasty raves'
• Advert for youth what to do