Media Moral Panic Essay

2078 Words9 Pages

In what way and why do the media create moral panics?
The media have the ability to provoke widespread panic. This has a tremendous influence on the public and can shape how certain circumstances are perceived. The media refers to news and criminal coverage. The face of the media, on the other hand, has evolved with time, as has its consumption. Print media dominated in the 1930s, while sound media was the dominant form of information in the 1920s. In the 1930s, this soon shifted to visual media, and in the 1980s, a new form of media was introduced. Today's media is all about mass consumption, with content being disseminated via many channels, such as the Internet, blogs, social media, television, and music. Media depictions shape …show more content…

Black males are cast in roles that need physical power and aggression. This contributes to the perception that Black men are violent. For example, the 1991 film "Boyz n the Hood" centres on the lives of three young black men in a gang-infested neighbourhood. There are scenes of drive-by shootings, police brutality, and other violent situations, and the main character, Tré, is portrayed as being lured into gang activities. This instils fear and anxiety in the audience, reinforcing the idea of black men as dangerous and must be feared. In addition, many hip-hop music videos depict Black guys as aggressive, violent, and surrounded by women, drugs, and money. 50 Cent, for example, is an American rapper whose videos feature drug trafficking, violence, women, and luxury. In one of his music videos, ''In da Club,'' 50 Cent portrayed himself as having drugs, money, and being surrounded by ladies while partying in a nightclub. All of these media broadcasts lead to the formation of moral panic surrounding black males and enhance negative stereotypes of black men's involvement in criminal activities. This media image of black men instils public dread and mistrust, resulting in discrimination and marginalisation of black men's lives. Through the representation of Black men in films and music videos, the media fosters a sense of moral panic. They are …show more content…

Prison is one of many acknowledged methods of punishing an offender. However, there are two unique approaches to punishing: restorative justice and diversionary solutions such as community service, restitution, and education. The goal of punishment is to keep the public secure by obscuring deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, and, finally, restitution. Rehabilitation is one method for punishing an offender. Its purpose is to provide individuals with the skills and support they need to become law-abiding citizens and have productive lives following their incarceration. This paper will look at some of the most effective ways for rehabilitating offenders, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), educational courses, and community