The Moral Panic of Environmental Crime in the Geothermal Exploration Project in Banyumas

Abstract

The project of natural gas exploration inflicts sufferings on the population living in the area of Mount Slamet at Banyumas Regency. This paper examines how the media coverage relating to the environmental crime signals of the geothermal exploration activities in Baturaden, creates a moral panic in the area. This study establishes the signals of environmental crime that contributes to the emergence of moral panic in the society. It also discusses the moral panic of the public manifestation as a response to a significant social anxiety. A qualitative approach is used in this study. This study reveals that the existence of public moral panic towards the activities of natural gas exploration in Mount Slamet results in the development of an environmental crime signal and the emergence of moral panic. This moral panic triggers various events and social reactions which call for the enforcement of legislation against the performers of environmental crimes.