Radio: War of the Worlds CSP

War of the Worlds: Blog tasks

Media Factsheet

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?

Orson Welles’ 1938 radio play is an adaption of H.G. Wells’ novel of the same name, first published in 1898. It tells the story of an alien invasion and the ensuing conflict between mankind and an extra- terrestrial race from Mars.

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

It was first broadcasted live on 30th October 1938.

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

The New York Times headline read, “Radio Listeners in Panic, Taking War Drama as Fact.”

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

Brad Schwartzs says that "it was something decades ahead of its time: history’s first viral-media phenomenon.” and that the press magnified distorted thoe reactions, creating a story that terrified the nation all over again.

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 because he thought the original narrative was 'boring'. He used the hybrid genre mixing conventional storytelling and news conventions to give audiences a new experience.

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

• In September 1938, Hitler signed the Munich Agreement annexing portions of Czechoslovakia and creating the ‘Sudetenland’.
• In 1983 the world was on edge as Germany mobilised to invade Europe, so hearing about War of the Worlds would have frightened audiences.
• At this time, both the radio networks, including CBS, frequently interrupted programmes to issue news bulletins with updates on the situation in Europe.

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

CBS Radio Network broadcasted War of the Worlds.

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

The rise of Radio was damaging the newspaper industry's revenue as they were a new source of news for audiences, so the newspaper industry exaggerated the responses to prove to advertisers and regulators  that radio management was irresponsible and not to be trusted.

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

War of the Worlds provided evidence of the hypodermic needle theory as audiences were believing the news they were being told and injected with fear as radio was new at the time and they were unfamiliar to it.

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

Gerbner's cultivation theory puts emphasis on the long term effects of the media on audiences. This can be applied to the audiences reaction to war of the worlds as an audience familiar with the frequent interruptions to radio shows over the weeks leading up to the broadcast did not question the faux invasion broadcasts during Welles’ production.

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

The preferred reading may have been for the audience to view War of the Worlds as entertainment and the oppositional reading is for the audience to view it as real news and think they are under attack.

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?Audiences are now more of fake news so i don't think they would be a easily fooled like the audience for War of the Worlds as they were not familiar to radio at the time.

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?

It was history's first viral media phenomenon and had big impact on audiences.

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?

The newspaper exaggeration was written with the intent to spread fake news and discredit the reputation of the radio industry.

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?

I think the 1938 were more susceptible to believing fake news as they were not as familiar with radio and were not as aware of fake news as a contemporary audience would be.

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

The digital age has made it easier for people to spread fake news so it may have made the hypodermic needle theory more relevant, however the digital age may have also made audiences more aware of the threats of fake news and avoid believing everything they hear and see.

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.


I agree with this theory as i think high frequency viewers of the media will have a long term effect .

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

I think it would be more valid today as audiences are more surrounded by media and consume it more than a 1938 audience.