This book investigates the validity and utility of the 'moral panic' concept in contemporary sociology and media discourse. Authors Bill Thompson and Andy Williams examine how societal anxieties regarding sex, violence, and subcultures are constructed and amplified by media and political actors. By analyzing historical case studies, they argue that the term 'moral panic' is often misused or oversimplified, challenging the reader to reconsider how public outrage is manufactured and sustained.

Experts in sociology and media studies identify this work as a critical intervention in the study of public anxiety and moral regulation. Readers frequently note the academic rigor of the prose, which serves as a foundational text for those interested in the intersection of media influence and social policy.