War of the Worlds: Blog tasks

Read Media Factsheet #176: CSP Radio - War of the Worlds. You'll need your Greenford Google login to download it. Then answer the following questions:

1) What is the history and narrative behind the War of the Worlds?

The history and narrative behind War of the Worlds involve Orson Welles' 1938 radio adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel of the same name, first published in 1898. The story revolves around an alien invasion by Martians and the ensuing conflict between humanity and the extraterrestrial race from Mars. It has been interpreted as a commentary on British Imperialism and Victorian fears and prejudices. The broadcast was a scheduled production and was announced as an episode of the Mercury Theatre on Air.

2) When was it first broadcast and what is the popular myth regarding the reaction from the audience?

War of the Worlds was first broadcast on October 30, 1938. The popular myth regarding the audience's reaction is that thousands of New Yorkers fled their homes in panic, believing it to be a real space battle between Earth and Martians. People across America crowded the streets to witness the supposed invasion.

3) How did the New York Times report the reaction the next day?

The New York Times reported the reaction the next day with the headline, "Radio Listeners in Panic, Taking War Drama as Fact." The article described the panic, with people fleeing homes and seeking protective measures against the supposed Martian invasion.

4) How did author Brad Schwartz describe the the broadcast and its reaction?

Author Brad Schwartz described the broadcast and its reaction as not entirely a myth but rather something ahead of its time, history's first viral media phenomenon. He emphasised how the press magnified and distorted reactions, creating a story that terrified the nation.

5) Why did Orson Welles use hybrid genres and pastiche and what effect might it have had on the audience?

Orson Welles used hybrid genres and pastiche to make the broadcast more engaging and convincing. He blended conventional storytelling with news conventions, blurring the lines between fact and fiction, which likely contributed to the strong reaction from the audience.

6) How did world events in 1938 affect the way audiences interpreted the show?

World events in 1938, such as the Munich Agreement and Europe's appeasement of Germany, created an environment of fear and tension. Frequent interruptions on radio with news bulletins about the situation in Europe made audiences more accepting of Welles' faux newscasts, as they were familiar with such interruptions.

7) Which company broadcast War of the Worlds in 1938?

War of the Worlds was broadcast by the CBS Radio network.

8) Why might the newspaper industry have deliberately exaggerated the response to the broadcast?

The newspaper industry might have deliberately exaggerated the response to the broadcast to discredit radio, which was seen as a threat that siphoned off advertising revenue from print during the Great Depression.

9) Does War of the Worlds provide evidence to support the Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory?

The broadcast of War of the Worlds does provide some evidence to support the Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory, as it suggests that audiences can consume and respond to media texts in an unquestioning way, believing what they hear.

10) How might Gerbner's cultivation theory be applied to the broadcast?

Gerbner's Cultivation theory could be applied to the broadcast by suggesting that frequent exposure to radio messages and interruptions may have cultivated an attitude among the audience that what they were hearing was real.

11) Applying Hall's Reception Theory, what could be the preferred and oppositional readings of the original broadcast?

Applying Hall's Reception Theory, the preferred reading of the original broadcast would be that it was a fictional radio play. However, some oppositional readings might interpret it as a real news broadcast, influenced by factors like the social and political context.

12) Do media products still retain the ability to fool audiences as it is suggested War of the Worlds did in 1938? Has the digital media landscape changed this?

Media products can still influence and impact audiences, but the digital media landscape has changed the way information is consumed and shared. Audiences today are generally more media-literate and may be less susceptible to similar hoaxes.

Analysis and opinion

1) Why do you think the 1938 broadcast of War of the Worlds has become such a significant moment in media history?

The 1938 broadcast of War of the Worlds has become significant in media history because it demonstrated the power of media to influence and even deceive the audience. It highlighted the potential consequences of mass media and the role of media in shaping public perception.

2) War of the Worlds feels like a 1938 version of 'fake news'. But which is the greater example of fake news - Orson Welles's use of radio conventions to create realism or the newspapers exaggerating the audience reaction to discredit radio?

Both Orson Welles' use of radio conventions to create realism and the newspapers' exaggeration of the audience reaction contributed to the significance of the event. While Welles used innovative techniques to make the broadcast convincing, the newspapers exploited it to discredit radio as a source of news.

3) Do you agree with the Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory? If not, was there a point in history audiences were more susceptible to believing anything they saw or heard in the media?

The Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory is debatable. While there may have been times when audiences were more susceptible to media influence, it is essential to consider individual differences and varying levels of media literacy.

4) Has the digital media age made the Hypodermic Needle model more or less relevant? Why?

The digital media age has made the Hypodermic Needle model less relevant because audiences today have access to a wide range of information sources and can fact-check and critically analyse content. However, it has also introduced new challenges like the spread of misinformation on digital platforms.

5) Do you agree with George Gerbner's Cultivation theory - that suggests exposure to the media has a gradual but significant effect on audience's views and beliefs? Give examples to support your argument.

Gerbner's Cultivation theory remains valid today, as exposure to media still has a gradual but significant effect on audiences' views and beliefs. However, the diversity of media content and the ability to choose from various sources can influence the extent of cultivation.

6) Is Gerbner's Cultivation theory more or less valid today than it would have been in 1938? Why?

Gerbner's Cultivation theory may be more valid today than in 1938 because of the sheer volume of media content available and the potential for individuals to consume media that aligns with their existing beliefs, reinforcing those views. However, the theory may manifest differently in the digital age.