Media's role in creating social and moral panic

¶ … Media and Society

Media can be described as any channel of communication. Its influence could be seen on our daily lives. People have different opinions, but actually no one can ignore its influence on our lives. Today, radio, television, advertisements, books, magazines, newspaper etc., we are surrounded by it everywhere. Every minute, we get some information directly or indirectly (Uni Assignment Centre, 2016)

The most important question is the medium. Since media can both construct or destruct the facts (by selectively manipulation), it is necessary to understand that how properly they are using the medium. Media has its own importance in representing social issues since ancient times till modern era. Hence, to define its role, it is necessary to understand how it is turned and twisted by historians and practitioners. (Uni Assignment Centre, 2016)

Media has mostly been recognised as the medium of creating social and moral panic. Though it does not play an active role in creating the panic, but it is undoubtedly responsible for fuelling the social panic, be it through 9/11 or 26/11, media has always played a pivotal role in instigating this moral panic in people.

II. Counter Argument

Summary of counterclaims

a) Media raises awareness amongst people instead of panic.

b) Media plays a positive role by questioning every public figure and makes them answerable.

Supporting information for counterclaims

a) Now-a-days, when corruption and crime are dwelling at every nook and corner, in a country like India, media serves as the fastest medium of raising awareness about every event happening around us. It serves as the most important source of information, at present. (Masaun, 2015)

b) In today's democratic setup, media has the power and ability, to question and make sure that every public authority is answerable, liable and responsible towards public, without being biased towards power, money or status of any other disposition, and hence, plays a positive role in society. (Sharma, 2015)

Refuting the counterclaims and evidence for argument

a) Media not just presents, but glorifies every situation to increase their TRPs. Being a powerful tool; it gives so much hype to a crime which affects the minds of our youth negatively. (Ali, 2015)

b) Media can transform our society into a positive force, but to make people stop blaming the authorities for everything, media needs to stop playing this blame-game with government for hours on television and should serve as a platform to solve the problems. (Verma, 2015)

III. My Argument

Point #1 of claims

Media creates moral panic amongst people by constant overplay of violent imagery and heated discussions.

Support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)

i) As found by Cohen, Mods and Rockers' minor issues in beachside resorts were over-sensationalised by the media. One headline stated, 'Wild ones invade seaside town -- 97

arrests,' while actually only 24 were arrested (Trueman, 2015)

ii) However, Bonn describes media as powerful set of actors creating moral panic. Usually, news media exaggerates events involving folk devils and make them appear much more frightening that they actually are, thereby increasing public anxiety and fear that leads to moral panic. (Bonn, 2015)

iii) While Critcher asserts three processes: firstly, exaggeration and misrepresentation of events; secondly, prediction of horrible result in case of failure to act; thirdly, symbolisation- creating words which signify threat. These processes are not any conspiracies by design, but a regular practice of news making (Critcher, 2008)

B. Point #2 of claims

Media fuels racial issues and creates divide.

Support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)

i) According to father Dominic Emmanuel from Delhi Catholic Church, "the channels don't cover us when there is a story like terrorism, cricket or the birthday of a film star." A poor man can make his way in the picture only if he is run down by a rich man's car. (Naqvi, 2008)

ii) However, Daniel Hallin states that in late 60s, local stations realized that certain news can be used for monetary gains. Subsequently, the urge for TRPs creeped in, followed by dramatization, to encashing the current wave of popular emotion, all contributed to the present state of media. (Hallin, n.d.)

iii) While Robinson aptly recall a reporter's remark, "poverty is worthy, not newsworthy"- average, prosaic poverty does not make a story. Though, real stories from routine life can acquire the eyes of the audience, but hardships and destitution experienced by millions of people in UK has hardly been reported. (Robinson et al., 2009)

IV. Conclusion

Media, therefore, stops at nothing in pursuit of making the most out of any happening or event; be it any murder, rape, accident or a star wedding; media enjoys the power and authority to capture our mind and emotion.

Plan of action

Instead of sensationalizing the events, media should adhere to the core values of journalism namely, presenting the facts, taking the responsibility, respecting people's privacy, equality and follow the norms of journalism rules. Their main duty lies in providing information essential to make the democracy effective and making noteworthy events interesting, along with its duties towards its colleagues, news organisation and towards him/herself. (Article 19, 2012)