war of the world

Factsheet 176

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

The history and narrative behind war of world is adapted by the novel which is written in 1898 by  H.G Wells.

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

30th October 1938 in halloween and done to scare the audience.

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

They reported this to be such hysteria was caused by Welles’ clever adaption of the story, reporting on the events through faux newscasts, and presenting the narrative in a way that has been described as “too realistic and frightening.

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

Author Brad Schwartz in his 2015 book ‘Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welles’s War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News’ suggests that 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 did this to make everything look more real with its fake news and make them believe in it.

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

The world war 3 which was taking place between the German and Russian made it look real that there is a possible chance of world war3 as they were talking about the world of the world.

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

CBS Radio network

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

They might have exaggerated the situation because radio made it look more real and authentic and people actually got scared from it.

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

yes it does support hypermerdic model as it shows people rely on media for their information as they show how people panic after hearing this form the radio.

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

This might be applied as he believes if people watch media for to long then they will think and have an opinion in that way which was shown by the radio broadcast as people started thinking their was a war after hearing the radio.

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

The. preferred reading is a broadcast showing how you should not be relying on media..

The oppositional reading is you. should not make fake news and make people believe it.

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?

Yes they still do it by making false news in websites and pages which can be promoted by people in social media.however they have changed that as they blockpages who show fake news or promote it. 

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?

This is because this is the first time the media attempted to do an fake news and this is historical as everyone believed it and responded to it.

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?

It is the radio as people believed in that more as radio was the most important media source in that time which means it will be a bigger example in showing fake 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?

I agree with the hypodermic model theory as people believe in media fully for their information and to get news.

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

They have made it more relevant because almost everyone gets their information  from  media and the new digital platforms are being used by everyone to communicate. and share their opinion on things.

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 media does change the way you think and belief as you are adapting your infomration form them in their point of view which makes you belief its true as you only see one side of the story and don't see the other side to know everything properly to make a judgement.This means you are more likely to believe in what the media is showing you.6) Is Gerbner's Cultivation theory more or less valid today than it would have been in 1938? Why?

I believe it is more valid today because the media consumption now is much more higher than before as people rely on media for everything in terns of information.additionally they get to hear all the opinions from  every side which helps them to choose between what is wrong and right.