The media and often those in a position of political power define a condition, or group, as a threat to societal values and interests.

Evidence

Folk Devils and Moral Panics - Stanley Cohen (Google Books)

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim
• XREF: connects to: Folktales can escalate into moral panics in troubled times. — Lynley Hood, A City Possessed, 77; Cohen (1972, p. 9) defined moral panic as a condition where a group emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests, presented in a stylized way by mass media. — Moral Panic; Moral panic is a social phenomenon where a group is portrayed as a significant threat to societal values, resulting in heightened fear and the push for new legislation. — Moral Panic - an overview (+16 more)

Related

• Cohen (1972, p. 9) defined moral panic as a condition where a group emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests, presented in a stylized way by mass media. (similarity 0.81)
• Public perception of deviance is driven by media narratives. (similarity 0.80)
• Moral panics are characterized by an exaggerated, stylized folk devil perceived as threatening the social order, which attracts public hostility. (similarity 0.79)
• Moral panic is a social phenomenon where a group is portrayed as a significant threat to societal values, resulting in heightened fear and the push for new legislation. (similarity 0.79)
• Folk Devils and Moral Panics is a 1972 sociology book by Stanley Cohen — the first book to define the social concept. (similarity 0.78)
• Moral panics are often rooted in political struggles over values. (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Media and political elites may have an interest in promoting the Islam-violence stereotype. #exemplifies (0.85)
• Media ideology becomes most visible when politically organized out-groups demand access #expands (0.70)
• Structural corruption reflects misuse of power and privilege in society. #expands (0.65)
• Racialization shifts with the political interests of those in power #exemplifies (0.65) — , Selod, Saher - Forever Suspect_…, 86