War of the Worlds
Media Factsheet
1) What is the history and narrative behind War of the Worlds?
War of the Worlds was initially a novel published in 1898. The text has been frequently interpreted as a commentary on British Imperialism and Victorian fear and prejudice. It tells the story of alien race fleeing from Mars to invade Earth and the ensuing chaos that follows.
2) When was it first broadcast and what is the popular myth regarding the reaction from the audience?
It was initially broadcast in 1938 and the audience allegedly believed it was real and that aliens really were attacking Earth.
3) How did the New York Times report the reaction the next day?
They reported that "many" had fled their homes hearing about the "gas attacks from Mars". They also reported that there was a "wave of mass hysteria" last night from viewers nationwide.
4) How did author Brad Schwartz describe the the broadcast and its reaction?
Brad Schwartz suggests that the hysteria it caused was not entirely a myth. “Instead it was something decades ahead of its time: history’s first viral-media phenomenon.”
5) Why did Orson Welles use hybrid genres and pastiche and what effect might it have had on the audience?
He used pastiche to try and invoke real feelings of fear within the audience and to try give the broadcast more authenticity. This worked out well, as some audiences believed the fake radio newscasts and what was happening over the radio in general.
6) How did world events in 1938 affect the way audiences interpreted the show?
The events leading up to World War 2 were slowly but surely increasing - and audiences were nervous another world war was on the horizon. Because of this, the audience reaction to this was met with more uncertainty and fear than usual.
7) Which company broadcast War of the Worlds in 1938?
CBS
8) Why might the newspaper industry have deliberately exaggerated the response to the broadcast?
To direct attention away from radio and make it seem dangerous so that audiences don't abandon newspapers
9) Does War of the Worlds provide evidence to support the Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory?
I suppose, considering the episode supposedly caused mass panic nationally in the US. However, those are just claims. Who's to say they weren't just exaggerating it, as suggested before?
10) How might Gerbner's cultivation theory be applied to the broadcast?
Their perception of this broadcast may reflect how they feel on future, real events after this. They may not be as fearful, or more, if sudden news in the same vain as War of the Worlds were to appear.
11) Applying Hall's Reception Theory, what could be the preferred and oppositional readings of the original broadcast?
Preferred - The broadcast is fake and that it's meant to educate you on how you should be more attentive to the media
Oppositional - The broadcast was genuinely malicious
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?
Not really, no. The digital media landscape definitely had an effect on this. One one hand, it's way easier to create your own media and try to fool people. But on the other, it's easier to inform and educate people on what's real and what's not. Because of this, audiences are more skeptical to what they see online compared to a decade ago, or even way further than that. Compared to 1938, audiences are much less easily fooled compared to nowadays.
Media Magazine article on War of the Worlds
1) What reasons are provided for why the audience may have been scared by the broadcast in 1938?
The broadcast deliberately chose to emulate real radio conventions to increase the authenticity of it.
2) How did newspapers present the story?
Newspapers presented the story as a national outrage and exclaimed that radio was dangerous.
3) How does the article describe the rise of radio?
Despite The Great Depression making it harder to live, the radio still persevered through it all, and became a household essential.
4) What does the article say about regulation of radio in the 1930s?
Radio was a new form of media and was still quite unregulated. And as a relatively new media form, there was still widespread scepticism about radio’s benefits and a lot of concern about its potential downsides. Older generations had feared the corruption of youth via unregulated radio content.
5) How does the article apply media theories to the WOTW? Give examples.
Hypodermic Needle theory - the article talks about how audiences really were fooled by the radio broadcast
6) Look at the box on page 13 of real newspaper headlines. Pick out two and write them here - you could use these in an exam answer.
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