“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the most terrifying thing I have ever witnessed!” These are the words that were blasting through the radio on Halloween in 1938. “War of the Worlds” interrupted the news bulletin and music to declare that aliens were invading the earth. It was theatrical, melodramatic and spectacular. You could call it the original fake news.
Based of H.D. Wells 1898 sciencefiction novel “War of the Worlds”, Orson Welles made a radioshow that was aired on CBS Radio Network. It was said to have sent Americans running into the streets in panic believing martians were attacking the worlds. But the truth is more nuanced. Only a small fraction of the people who listened to the radioshow believed it. Many newspapers exaggerated the panic to criticize radio, because they were competitors in news media. These newspapers tried to make radio appear irresponsible and unethical. This exaggeration about mass hysteria was a perfect way to do so.
Even though it was a different time, people were still critical. Knowing that no other radio stations were reporting about the news of the alleged alien invasion, the so called “mass hysteria” was not too bad after all. An interesting moment in history, because it is the first dramatic demonstration of how media persuasion works.
Gullible listeners?
Now that we have some background information about the show, let’s dive a little bit deeper. Even though very few people actually believed it, there were some who went along with it. How was this possible?
First of all, in 1938, America was a country on edge. The economy was is a recession and Europe was close to the Second World War. People were already anxious and uncertain about the future. This heightened sense of vulnerability was perfect for Orson Welles.
Second of all, the radio and the papers were the main sources for news. So why not believe the things that were being said? It’s the biggest way of spreading news after all. Welles’ serious tone and CBS’s reputation gave genuineness to the performance. Making it more believable to listeners who missed the opening disclaimer.
The radioshow also had the advantage that there was no image being used. Unlike television, which relies on visual evidence.. For instance, there was a moment where they said this: “Good heavens, something’s wriggling out of the shadow like a gray snake. Now it’s another one, and another. They look like tentacles to me.” The creativity of the listeners was running wild, images were starting to form in their own minds. It would be much harder for a visual medium to make this convincing.
Comparison
After reading this, do you think you would have been fooled? If you are confident enough in saying no, let me make a comparison to this day and age. Imagine you are scrolling on your phone. And suddenly a verified news broadcaster, like BBC, posts that parts of the moon are crumbling off and falling onto earth. Updates keep coming, each more detailed than the last, different “experts” share their insights and worries. I bet you there is a chance many people would believe it. Thanks to the reliable source, constant flow of information and opinions of experts. The point is clear; whether it is 1938 or 2025, our trust in credible news outlets is timeless.
The final takeaway of the “War of the Worlds” story is that reality is far more complicated than it appears at first. We are prone to the way our news is given to us. A convincing tone makes it that much more reliable. The source is also an important aspect. Finally, we also have to take into account whether the audience is prepared to receive the news.
Fake news keeps challenging us to be critical thinkers; not only about the message but also about the messenger.
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RESEARCH | ARTICLE © Emma Van Baelen
