Welles Radio Adaptation Sparks Nationwide Panic
October 30th, 1938
October 30th, 1938
How Long Ago?
86 years, 4 months, 15 days ago
Location
United States
Category
Entertainment
People
- Orson Welles
- H. G. Wells
Links & References
Tags
Welles Radio Adaptation Sparks Nationwide Panic
Orson Welles, an American actor and director, broadcast a live radio adaptation of H. G. Wells's science fiction novel, The War of the Worlds. The dramatic presentation aired on October 30, 1938, over CBS radio, and was presented as a series of news bulletins that suggested a Martian invasion was underway in New Jersey. Many listeners, unaware it was fictional, believed the broadcast to be real, leading to widespread panic and confusion across the United States.
Broadcast aired as a news bulletins format.
Many listeners believed the invasion was real.
Panic ensued across several U.S. cities.
Raised questions about radio media ethics.
What Happened?
On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles directed and starred in a radio adaptation of H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds, a work detailing an extraterrestrial invasion of Earth. The broadcast aired on CBS Radio and was designed to mimic a news program, featuring a series of simulated news bulletins that reported on a Martian landing in Grovers Mill, New Jersey. With its realistic sound effects, urgent tone, and believable storytelling, the presentation created an immersive experience that fooled a significant portion of the audience into thinking they were witnessing an actual attack. Many listeners, tuning in after the start of the program, missed the introduction that clarified the show's fictional nature, leading to a nationwide scare. Reports described mobs in panic, people fleeing their homes, and others taking to the streets believing they were under threat from aliens. The broadcast had a stark and immediate impact, prompting phone calls to authorities and news stations, with government officials reporting their alarm as they responded to the chaos triggered by the broadcast.
Why Does it Matter?
The broadcast is significant as it highlighted the power of media in shaping public perception and response, especially in times when people were more trusting of radio as a news source. It demonstrated how easily misinformation could spread, and it spurred discussions about media responsibility and ethics in journalism. The event is often cited as a pivotal moment in media history that reshaped the relationship between the media and the public, reinforcing the need for critical listening and skepticism among audiences.
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