Stanley Cohen - Theory of Moral Panic

Moral panic is the intensity of a feeling expressed within a group, population or cultures. This generel fealing is to normally effect the social order or society. When a threat is to emerge and people begin to get scared or worrysome, it can be seen as a moral panic. The theat is to societal values and interests. There is a name given to the ones who start a panic to involve others of there fears, the name given is moral entrepreneurs. Whilst the name given to the ones effecting the social order, the moral panic themselves are called "folk devils". We could look at this and make the assumption that in present time, certain moral panics could be seen as terroist threats, cereal killers or burgulars. Its in the Media's decision whether or not to show or hide certain topics which may cause controversy to some or what is expected to be panic. In the United States shortly after the 9/11 attack there was a broadcast on the E.S.P.N news everday, which told the people whether they were either in the blue, green, yellow or red zone. Its as simple as it sounds, meaing that if red there could be a high chance of a terrorist attack and if blue, there wouldn't be any chance. Not only could it use this to scare a population, but to secure one also. The terriost threat zones were never officialy right.