ELECTRONIC MEDIA AND STATE CONTROL - THE CASE OF AZSCAM

The significance of mass media formats for social control and public order is illustrated with materials from a ''sting'' operation conducted by the Phoenix Police Department and county control agents against elected state officials in Arizona in 1991. Videotaped materials of lawmakers accepting ''bribes'' to support a bill legalizing gambling were distributed to the various news media for public presentation before a single trial. The ''programming'' culminated in 7 (8 percent) members of the legislature resigning, and then being replaced by nonelected officials. without benefit of any court proceedings, with only one legislator opting for a trial. The implications for social control are discussed.