Explain the impact of media representations on the public perception of crime
Moral panic
Moral panic occurs when someone or something is defined by the media as a threat to the
values or interests of society. Media often overreacts or sensationalises aspects of behaviour
which challenge social norms. Sociologists Stanley Cohen stated that a moral panic takes place
when a “condition, episode, person or group of persons emerges to become defined as a threat
to societal values and interests”, believing that the media plays an important role in enforcing
moral panic, even by just reporting the news. This is evident as the news is constantly filled with
crime stories on a daily basis, exaggerating the levels of crimes and the risk of becoming a
victim. An example of a moral panic, was in the 1960s when the violence between two gangs
Mods and Rockers was deeply exaggerated by the media. The media use of sensationalism
grabbed attention from the public as they would often use false and inaccurate facts to display
the facts. For example, one headline read “ Wild ones invade seaside - 97 arrests”, in fact it was
only 24 arrests. This agitated the public more and often used stereotypical views about them
and others dressed similar. Another example of moral panic was when people panicked about
contracting HIV in the 1980s, when the media was given an incentive to further demonise
homesexual men and women. It is clear that the impact of moral panic is to make the public
think the issue is worse than it really is. Consequently, moral panic can also cause severe
reaction to the issue and people involved, and a desire for justice.
Changing public concerns and attitudes
Recently, the threat of terrorism has caused high level of public concern. Due to major terrorist
attacks, such as the Manchester and Barcelona attacks in 2017, the level of islamophobia has
increased, making muslims be seen as barbaric and “terrorists”. Muslims were depicted in a
negative light and made muslims a threat to western society values. The mention of islam in the
media is usually negative with unfactual news, making the public bitter of muslims or islam in
general. Another example is the media reports of the rise in knife attack crimes, causing the
public to fear of being a victim of this crime. One way of changing public concerns and attitudes
is to change the policing and government priorities.
Perceptions of crime trends
Generally, the public perception of crime is that it’s increasing due to being exposed to the
numerous crime stories represented by the media. By this, the media gets a false idea and
belief that crime is on the rise. In a study, it showed that 6 in 10 adults believe that crime has
risen over the past few years, but in reality crime has decreased massively with low levels of
crime, making it a new record in England and Wales. Despite some increases due to the
changes of how police record incidents. Furthermore, the crime survey for england and wales
estimated that the decrease of crime has been going since 1981. The impacts of the public
perception of a rising crime rate is causing anxiety and stress amongst the public as they fear
they may become a victim of these crimes and the subsequent repercussions. In 2017, the
children’s society childhood report stated that the wellbeing and happiness of children is being
affected by the concerns about crime in their local area. The report found out that in a survey of
Moral panic
Moral panic occurs when someone or something is defined by the media as a threat to the
values or interests of society. Media often overreacts or sensationalises aspects of behaviour
which challenge social norms. Sociologists Stanley Cohen stated that a moral panic takes place
when a “condition, episode, person or group of persons emerges to become defined as a threat
to societal values and interests”, believing that the media plays an important role in enforcing
moral panic, even by just reporting the news. This is evident as the news is constantly filled with
crime stories on a daily basis, exaggerating the levels of crimes and the risk of becoming a
victim. An example of a moral panic, was in the 1960s when the violence between two gangs
Mods and Rockers was deeply exaggerated by the media. The media use of sensationalism
grabbed attention from the public as they would often use false and inaccurate facts to display
the facts. For example, one headline read “ Wild ones invade seaside - 97 arrests”, in fact it was
only 24 arrests. This agitated the public more and often used stereotypical views about them
and others dressed similar. Another example of moral panic was when people panicked about
contracting HIV in the 1980s, when the media was given an incentive to further demonise
homesexual men and women. It is clear that the impact of moral panic is to make the public
think the issue is worse than it really is. Consequently, moral panic can also cause severe
reaction to the issue and people involved, and a desire for justice.
Changing public concerns and attitudes
Recently, the threat of terrorism has caused high level of public concern. Due to major terrorist
attacks, such as the Manchester and Barcelona attacks in 2017, the level of islamophobia has
increased, making muslims be seen as barbaric and “terrorists”. Muslims were depicted in a
negative light and made muslims a threat to western society values. The mention of islam in the
media is usually negative with unfactual news, making the public bitter of muslims or islam in
general. Another example is the media reports of the rise in knife attack crimes, causing the
public to fear of being a victim of this crime. One way of changing public concerns and attitudes
is to change the policing and government priorities.
Perceptions of crime trends
Generally, the public perception of crime is that it’s increasing due to being exposed to the
numerous crime stories represented by the media. By this, the media gets a false idea and
belief that crime is on the rise. In a study, it showed that 6 in 10 adults believe that crime has
risen over the past few years, but in reality crime has decreased massively with low levels of
crime, making it a new record in England and Wales. Despite some increases due to the
changes of how police record incidents. Furthermore, the crime survey for england and wales
estimated that the decrease of crime has been going since 1981. The impacts of the public
perception of a rising crime rate is causing anxiety and stress amongst the public as they fear
they may become a victim of these crimes and the subsequent repercussions. In 2017, the
children’s society childhood report stated that the wellbeing and happiness of children is being
affected by the concerns about crime in their local area. The report found out that in a survey of
