Moral Crusades in an Age of Mistrust: The Jimmy Savile Scandal

New Furedi book examines trust in the aftermath of Jimmy Savile scandal

The ellwood atfield gallery is delighted to be hosting the launch of a

new book and work of public sociology by Frank Furedi, Honorary

Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent, exploring the

precarious status of trust in the aftermath of the Jimmy Savile

scandal.

Doors open at 6pm, Frank will introduce his book at 6.45pm drinks and

book signing until 8.30pm on 24 April. To attend please email an

invitation request to hello@ellwoodatfieldgallery.com with TRUST in

the subject field. Places are limited and an invitation is necessary.

Moral Crusades in an Age of Mistrust: The Jimmy Savile Scandal

(Palgrave Macmillan), explores the sociological meaning of the sudden

transformation of Jimmy Savile – charity fundraiser, household name,

cultural icon – into the personification of evil. It also considers

the important role scandals usually play in clarifying the moral

issues preoccupying society and how, in the wake of the Savile affair,

the absence of moral consensus only bred uncertainty instead of

restoring moral order.

Furedi’s study of the Savile scandal argues that that what really

drives it is not so much the sordid behaviour of a sexual predator but

a culture that is desperately searching for a solution to its problem

of moral disorientation. This quest has as its focus the loss of

legitimacy of key public institutions. In the current era The Inquiry

appears to be the only instrument that has the credibility for

preventing the further erosion of trust. Furedi argues that the

proliferation of inquiries around the Savile case may well lead to its

loss of authority.

Moral Crusades In An Age Of Mistrust calls into question the

prevailing narrative about the Jimmy Savile affair. It argues that its

impact on the criminal justice system, child protection policy and

child rearing is likely to have destructive consequences for the

conduct and management of intergenerational relations.

Professor Furedi also points out that the culture of mistrust which

preceded the unmasking of Savile, and which has been amplified by the

scandal, will continue to dominate public life into the indefinite

future. ‘..press and police misconduct as outlined in the Leveson

Inquiry, MPs claiming false expenses and high-profile sports matches

and games being fixed. Not to mention the BBC’s handling of the Savile

affair. It’s no wonder people ask: who can you trust? Which is why, if

ever there was time to offer a sociologically-informed explanation of

distrust and its consequences, this is it.’

Frank Furedi, is Honorary Professor of Sociology at the University of

Kent. He is one of the UKs most cited sociologist and author of many

books including, ‘Paranoid Parenting’ and ‘Where have all the

intellectuals gone?’ He is one of the most radical and challenging

intellectuals of our age respected and reviled his ideas are always

considered, usually challenging and always orientated to the future .

The ellwood atfield gallery, is the world’s first gallery dedicated to

exploring the role, character and importance of communications.

Distinct industries and disciplines that evolved during the 20th

century – advertising, marketing, corporate communications, branding,

media, public relations, public affairs – are converging. The gallery

seeks to stimulate debate about what constitutes communications in the

21st century.

Ellwood Atfield Gallery, 34 Smith Square, Westminster, London, SW1P 3HL.

Directions can be found at www.ellwoodatfieldgallery.com