What term describes a period when public or media concern about a threat is exaggerated beyond its objective danger?

• A. Moral panic
• B. Media overload
• C. An accurate assessment of the situation
• D. Media objectivity

Answer: (A)

Moral panic describes a period when public or media concern about a threat is exaggerated beyond its objective danger. This happens when sensationalized reporting amplifies risk, creating a sense that the threat is imminent and poses a serious danger to society. The media often frame the issue as a moral crisis, sometimes spotting a “folk devil” and rallying public outrage, which pushes responses to appear urgent and widespread even if the actual danger is relatively small. This reaction tends to be disproportionate to the real risk and can spread quickly, then fade as attention shifts.

The other terms don’t fit this pattern. Media overload refers to an overwhelming amount of information, not to fear or exaggerated threat levels. An accurate assessment would reflect the real level of danger, not an inflated one. Media objectivity implies balanced, unbiased reporting, which by definition does not produce the exaggerated concern characteristic of a moral panic.