First Advisor

Ben Anderson-Nathe

Date of Award

6-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sociology and University Honors

Department

Sociology

Language

English

Subjects

library, censorship, moral panic, queer, BIPOC, Fox News

DOI

10.15760/honors.1656

Abstract

Library censorship poses a threat to inclusive communities by foreclosing the possibility of finding diverse representations through media. Certain demographics are more dependent on libraries for media access than others. Censorship is therefore especially concerning for those who cannot purchase media or afford subscriptions themselves. The most vocal proponents of contemporary library censorship are ideologically conservative; therefore, conservative media ecosystems play a key role in library censorship discourse. Fox News television is the most watched television news channel by a wide margin in the U.S. and therefore has an outsized influence on U.S. adults. This research involved a qualitative content analysis of Fox News transcripts for discursive themes and a brief inductive moral panic inquiry. By closely analyzing transcripts regarding objections to certain library materials featured in Fox News television broadcast segments from 2019 to 2024, this research suggests that an ongoing moral panic could be produced and influenced by conservative media networks. While further research must be performed before a moral panic is proven, these transcripts feature conceptually aligned aspects. The emergent themes regarding library materials and events from the transcripts include 1) lacking value, 2) prurient/obscene, 3) constructing an enemy, 4) harm to children and the adult/child dichotomy, 5) something must be done to stop this, 6) appeals to common sense and generalizations about opposition, and 7) ideological indoctrination and agenda advancement. These themes reveal efforts to raise widespread concern regarding diverse media and events in U.S. libraries with an emphasis on a perceived threat to U.S. children should censorship not occur.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Comments

An undergraduate honors thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in University Honors and Sociology and Sexuality, Gender, and Queer Studies

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/43736

Download

Share

COinS