Topic 7 - Moral panics

Exaggerated over-reaction by society to perceived problem - usually driven/inspired by media. In moral panic:
 - media identify group as 'folk devil'/threat to societal values
 - media present group in neg, stereotypical fashion, exaggerate scale of problem 
 - moral entrepreneurs, editors etc condemn group + behaviour

Usually -> 'crackdown' of group, but may create SFP + deviance amplification spiral.

Cohen (1972) - examines media's response to disturbances b/ween 2 groups largely w/c teenagers - mods + rockers, created moral panic. Mods smart dress, rode scooters, rockers leather jackets, rode motorbikes - early stages distinctions not obvious. Few scuffles, some stone throwing. Although disorder minor, media over-reacted. Cohen - media produce inventory of what happened. 3 elements:
 - prediction
 - symbolisation 
 - exaggeration + distortion

C argues produced DAS by making seem problem out of hand, -> calls for increased control response from police + courts.

Media further amplified deviance by defining the 2 groups, -> more adopting their styles.

C notes media defs on situation crucial in creating moral panic b/c in large-scale modern societies, most have no direct exp of events, rely on media for info.

Assumes societal reaction disproportionate over-reaction, but who decides what's proportionate?

Late modernity - McRobbie + Thornton argue moral panics now route, have less impact - late modern society, little consensus on what's deviant.

New types of media, moral panic. Jewkes (2003), Internet creates opps to commit 'conventional' crime eg fraud, + 'new crimes using tools' eg software.

Wall (2001): 4 categories cybercrime:
 - cyber-trespass - crossing boundaries into others' cyber-property eg hacking
 - cyber-deception + theft - identity theft, phishing
 - cyber-*********** - **** involving minors
 - cyber-violence - doing psych harm or inciting physical harm
 - global cyber-crime - police culture gives cyber-crime low priority b/c seen as lacking excitement of more conventional policing

New info + communication tech provides police + state w/ greater opps for surveillance eg CCTV.