War of the Worlds: Blog tasks

 

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?

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.

It is often highlighted as an early example of mass hysteria caused by the media and used to support various audience theories. 

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

Broadcast live on 30th October 1938, popular myth has it that thousandsof New Yorkers fled their homes in panic, and all across America people crowded the streets to witness for themselves the real space battle between earth and the Martians.

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

The next morning, newspapers across the country revelled in the mass hysteria it had caused. 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?

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?

By creating a hybrid form- mixing conventional storytelling with news conventions- Welles blurred the boundaries between fact and fiction in a way that audiences have never experienced. They could not differentiate between the two- which turned this into mass hysteria.

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

The text has been frequently interpreted as a commentary on British Imperialism and Victorian fear and prejudice.

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

CSB.

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

To increase their readership and circulation.


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

Yes, The theory suggests that media has a powerful and direct influence on audiences, shaping their beliefs and behaviours. While the broadcast did cause panic, it was due to the realistic nature of the broadcast rather than a direct injection of ideas. The panic was a result of the audiences interpretation and context.

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

Applied to War of the Worlds it could be argued that 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?

An oppositional reading of the War of the Worlds broadcast could be that it was a deliberate attempt to manipulate and deceive the audience. Some may argue that it was a form of media manipulation that aimed to create panic and exploit people's fear for entertainment purposes.

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?

I think the digital landscape has changed since 1938, as now there are many secondary sources that debunk false media texts that are used to fool audiences into believing a certain narrative. However, in this day and age, the Western media still has the ability to perpetuate false representations of reality in order to 'fool' audiences and those who are gullible and do not question things presented in the media will fall victim to bias and lies within Western media.

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 caused a panic within society and showcased the power radio as a medium to create a realistic experience. The panic it caused demonstrated the influence that media could have on people's perception and emotions. It also raised important questions regarding the responsibilities of broadcasters and the impact of mass media in society.

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?

I think the greater example of fake news is Orson Welles use of radio conventions to create realism. This is because a large amount of people genuinely believed the news and started to panic. Whereas the newspaper just exaggerated the audience's reaction.

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 somewhat agree with the hypodermic needle theory being more apparent in 1938 as people often believed mainstream media as it was their only form of news.



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

Due to the rise of the digital age, the hypodermic needle theory is less relevant as people think more critically of information they see online. However, this isn't always the case.

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.

Yes, as the more exposure one has to false media texts, the more likely his perceptions of reality will be distorted. For example, recently, as Israel is ethnically cleansing Palestine, the media perpetuates an idea that it is an act of "self defence". When in reality, Israel has committed several war crimes that has broken international law which has been hidden or excused by the mainstream media. The use of fabricated images which can now be created through the use of AI also makes viewers believe the propaganda they are being fed through the Mainstream media. Therefore there audiences develop a false idea of reality.

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

I think it is more valid  as media experiences can shape our perception of reality. With the proliferation of media platforms and increased consumption, the theory may have even more impact today.