The Story Behond 'War of the Worlds' Radio Show

The War of the Worlds broadcast by Orson Welles in 1938 was a dramatization that led to rumors of mass panic. While the broadcast was intended as a Halloween prank, newspapers exaggerated the public's reaction to discredit radio, a competing medium. The FCC found no wrongdoing, and the panic was largely a myth. The broadcast's legacy includes influencing media and similar incidents, such as a deadly panic in Ecuador in 1949.

What was the original source material for the 1938 radio broadcast by Orson Welles?

• A newspaper article

• A novel by H.G. Wells

• A government report

• A personal diary

Where did the fictional alien invasion in the broadcast begin?

• Chicago

• Grovers Mill, New Jersey

• Los Angeles

• New York City

What element of the broadcast made it particularly convincing to listeners?

• The broadcast's short duration

• The use of real news anchors

• The inclusion of live interviews

• The realistic sound effects and performances

How did the police react to the broadcast?

• They ignored it completely

• They attempted to stop it

• They supported it as a public service

• They were unaware of it

What was one reason newspapers exaggerated the panic caused by the broadcast?

• To promote a new movie

• To support the radio industry

• To increase their own sales

• To discredit radio as a news source

What percentage of households were actually tuned into the broadcast according to a Slate investigation?

• Under 2%

• 10%

• 50%

• 25%

What was Orson Welles's intended lesson from the broadcast?

• To test new sound equipment

• To entertain the public

• To teach skepticism towards media

• To promote his acting career

What was the FCC's conclusion after investigating the broadcast?

• The broadcast was praised

• Laws were broken

• No laws were broken

• The broadcast was banned

How did the broadcast affect Orson Welles's career?

• It ended his career

• It led to a lawsuit

• It had no impact

• It boosted his career

What happened in Ecuador after a similar broadcast was aired?

• Riots and chaos

• A peaceful protest

• A government intervention

• Nothing significant