The clash between conservative values and liberal ideals during the satanic panic of the 1980s set the stage for the subsequent impact it had on innocent lives.
The media's failure to question the validity of accusations and critically analyze the evidence amplified the satanic panic, highlighting the dangers of sensationalized narratives and collective fear.
Deep dives
Origin of the Culture Wars
In the podcast episode, John Ronson explores the origin of the culture wars that engulfed America in the 1980s and 1990s. He highlights the speech given by conservative commentator Pat Buchanan at the 1992 Republican Convention, where he declared a religious and cultural war for the soul of America. This marked a turning point as the left had already gained control over education, entertainment, and the media, resulting in the rise of conservative storytellers like Bob Larson. Larson, a Christian broadcaster, engaged in a culture war against death metal musicians, claiming their lyrics were promoting satanism and abuse. This clash between conservative values and liberal ideals set the stage for the satanic panic and the subsequent impact it had on innocent lives.
The Satanic Panic and False Accusations
During the satanic panic of the 1980s, fears of satanic cults and child abuse spread across the United States. Kelly Michaels, a daycare worker, became a victim of false accusations. She was charged with hundreds of counts of child abuse based on testimonies from manipulated interviews with young children. Kelly's trial lasted almost a year, resulting in her wrongful conviction and a 40-year prison sentence. The trial exploited the belief that children should be believed at all costs, leading to an atmosphere of hysteria and a disregard for factual evidence. Kelly's case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of moral panics and the devastating consequences they can have on innocent individuals.
Media Influence and Lessons Learned
The podcast episode also delves into the role of media in perpetuating and fueling moral panics. In the case of the satanic panic, mainstream broadcasters saw an opportunity for high ratings by entertaining the idea of satanic cults and child abductors. The media's unwillingness to question the validity of the accusations and the failure to critically analyze the evidence amplified the panic. This demonstrates how even well-educated and progressive individuals can fall victim to sensationalized narratives and collective fear. The episode concludes by highlighting the parallels between the satanic panic of the past and present-day phenomena like QAnon and social media shaming, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and reason to avoid repeating these harmful cycles.
In the mid 1980s a new conspiracy theory proliferates across America - that cabals of Satanists are secretly preying on children and polluting the culture. This ‘Satanic panic’ is a madness with bizarre and dreadful consequences – as an unsuspecting young woman in New Jersey is about to discover…
Written and presented by Jon Ronson
Produced by Sarah Shebbeare
Original music by Phil Channell
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