Moral panic neutralization project: a media‐based intervention

Abstract

Moral panics are a major technique used by government in the politics of fear. The central research question addressed was 'can moral panic be neutralized?' Researchers formed a coalition with folk devils (an outlaw motorcycle club) in an emerging moral panic to answer the research question. The contest for public support was played out in the media. Results of the action research process are reported using 'thick narrative' and included: (1) government calling off its moral panic campaign, (2) a large decrease in public support for the government's campaign against outlaw motorcycle clubs (OMCs), (3) increased acceptance of OMCs in public opinion polls and (4) dramatic reversals in newspaper editorials. The case study illustrates actors in moral panics have agency and provides an example of a macro-level intervention through which liberation from oppression was affected.

Terrorists brought down the plane!—No, actually it was a technical fault: Processing corrections of emotive information

“…However, this should not imply that moderate emotionality cannot have significant consequences. For example, Veno and van den Eynde (2007) demonstrated how media reports can lead to long-term changes in public opinion by fuelling or mitigating emotions.…”

Media framing of proposed nuclear reactors: An analysis of print media

“…Social scientists, in collaboration with community members, can engage in media advocacy work or alternative media use to shape issue coverage and enhance civic engagement (Hodgetts & Chamberlain, 2007;Veno & van den Eynde, 2007). Best practices can be used to develop and implement strategies to shape media and extend meaningful public deliberation of GCC and energy issues.…”

“…Media can be used to develop and sustain social ties, heighten civic participation and engagement in social change efforts, facilitate understanding, or perpetuate negative stereotypes and discrimination of marginalized groups (Cottle, 2000;Van Dijk, 2000;Veno & van den Eynde, 2007;Voorhees et al, 2007). Although media can yield positive and negative impacts, research specific to media framing of controversial issues suggests that powerful interests often take precedence over public interests.…”

“…Media is understood to play an important role in shaping public perceptions of societal issues and solutions (Angelique & Cunningham, 2006;Cottle, 2000;Herman & Chomsky, 1988;Hodgetts & Chamberlain, 2007;Van Dijk, 2000;Veno & van den Eynde, 2007;Voorhees, Vick, & Perkins, 2007;Zavestoski, Agnello, Mignano, & Dorroch, 2004). Populations around the world have become increasingly steeped in media (e.g.…”

A Hybrid Model of Moral Panics: Synthesizing the Theory and Practice of Moral Panic Research

“…In a creative example of action‐based research in Australia, Veno and Van Den Eynde joined with ‘an outlaw motorcycle club in an emerging MP’ (2007, p. 490), and with an effective media counter‐campaign neutralized the panic. They demonstrated that ‘folk devils, moral entrepreneurs, experts, media and public – all have agency in the process and the process of demonization can be stopped’ (Veno and Van Den Eynde 2007, p. 504).…”