Representing fear; moral panics in the press and online (2)

Media magazine 34
Author: Priscilla McClay (Dec 2010)
'Have your say: How is Internet Comment(ing) changing the News media?'

What the article is about:
This article is about how online newspaper websites allow the public to share their own views and speaks about how/if certain comments are favoured over others due to them backing up the argument made within the article.

Interesting quotes:

• 'Its a triumph for freedom of speech'

Useful when talking about the internet and how its given people a new way to get their opinions heard. Could also be useful when talking about online stereotypes.

• 'Even with a powerful commitment to free speech, no news website can allow users to comment completely free of restrictions'w

Useful when talking about how a newspaper constructs their articles in order to reinforce their own ideas.

• 'The Sun still had the power to select which comments it used in its news coverage.'

Useful when talking about mediation. Could they favour comments? Is the comment section bias? Do newspapers only show comments that help further their own views? (Speaking of the Baby P case) 

• 'I found that the paper had not  represented a single user who disagreed with their campaign'

Useful when talking about mediation. Continuation of favoured comments (Speaking of the Baby P case)

• 'The opinions quoted are genuine, but the overall impression becomes less about the significance of the Baby P case and more about praising The Sun.'- Advantages for the newspaper?

Useful when trying to see if it really is a moral panic, is it really that big of an issue if people are about to forget about it and the newspaper and their actions are more important than the 'folk devils'.