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 War of the Worlds?

War of the Worlds was originally a novel by H.G. Wells published in 1898. It tells the story of a Martian invasion of Earth. In 1938, Orson Welles adapted it into a radio drama using fake news reports to make it sound realistic.

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

It was first broadcast on 30 October 1938 on American radio. The popular myth is that thousands of listeners panicked, fled their homes, and believed a real alien invasion wa

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

The New York Times reported that audiences were terrified by the broadcast. It said people called police stations, newspapers, and radio stations for advice and believed New York and New Jersey were under attack.

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

Brad Schwartz described the broadcast as one of the first examples of viral media and fake news. He argued that newspapers exaggerated the panic and helped spread fear across America.


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 by combining drama with the style of live radio news bulletins. This made the programme sound realistic and blurred the line between fact and fiction, which confused some listeners.

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

In 1938, audiences were worried about growing tensions in Europe and the threat of war involving Hitler and Germany. Radio programmes were often interrupted with real news updates, so listeners were more likely to believe the fake bulletins in the broadcast

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

War of the Worlds was broadcast by the CBS radio network in the United States.

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

Newspapers may have exaggerated the audience reaction because radio was becoming a strong competitor for news and advertising. By making radio seem irresponsible, newspapers protected their own industry


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

Yes, War of the Worlds can support the Frankfurt School’s Hypodermic Needle theory because some listeners appeared to accept the broadcast without questioning whether it was real or fictional.


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

 cultivation theory could apply because audiences had become familiar with hearing emergency news interruptions on the radio. This repeated exposure may have made the fake reports sound believable.


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

The preferred reading was that the programme was an exciting fictional radio drama designed to entertain audiences. An oppositional reading was that it was dangerous and irresponsible because some listeners believed the invasion was real.

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 fool audiences today through fake news, edited videos, and social media posts. However, modern audiences are generally more media-aware and have access to more sources of information, so it is harder to create the same level of panic as in 1938.

Media Magazine article on War of the Worlds

Read this excellent article on War of the Worlds in Media Magazine. You can find it in our Media Magazine archive - issue 69, page 10. Answer the following questions:

1) What reasons are provided for why the audience may have been scared by the broadcast in 1938? 

The audience may have been scared because the broadcast used realistic radio news conventions like news bulletins, interviews, and expert reports. Many people tuned in late and missed the disclaimer saying it was fictional. Audiences also trusted radio in the 1930s because it was their main source of news and information. Fear about war in Europe and the tensions around Hitler also made the story seem believable.

2) How did newspapers present the story? 

Newspapers presented the story as mass hysteria and described the broadcast as dangerous and irresponsible. They exaggerated audience reactions with dramatic headlines about panic, terror, and chao

3) How does the article describe the rise of radio? 

The article says radio became very popular in the 1930s because it brought news and entertainment directly into people’s homes. Newspapers saw it as a threat to their industry.

4) What does the article say about regulation of radio in the 1930s? 

The article says people worried radio was too powerful and not properly controlled. Some believed it could negatively influence audiences, especially young people.

5) How does the article apply media theories to the WOTW? Give examples.

The article applies the Hypodermic Needle theory by suggesting some listeners believed the broadcast immediately. It also applies Gerbner’s cultivation theory and Hall’s Reception Theory to explain how audiences reacted differently.

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.

Radio fake scares nation

Radio terror brings panic in all areas