... to the next argument, newspapers may write untrue statements and get away with it, thus leading to the public believing (technically) "lies". This could be potentially dangerous as altering public opinions can lead to 'Moral Panics'. A Moral Panic is a widespread public concern, usually fuelled by sensational media coverage, that an event or group is threatening society. In 1987, Cohen argued that the reaction of the media created what he called a moral panic. A moral panic exists when 'a condition, episode, person or group of persons emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests'. In this particular case, Cohen was referring to 'Mods and Rockers' who were later singled out as 'Folk Devils'. Folk Devils are groups whose behaviour is seen as a threat to social order. Moral Panics occur on a regular basis. Newspapers (especially tabloid newspapers) often play a key role in ...

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