Media Outlets Interview Socolow About ‘War of the Worlds’ Hysteria Myth
Michael Socolow, an associate professor in the Communication and Journalism Department at the University of Maine, was interviewed by several news organizations about the overblown reports of mass hysteria following Orson Welles’ 1938 radio broadcast of “War of the Worlds.” Socolow says media coverage claiming mass panic was created by newspapers in an attempt to discredit radio and win over advertisers. Oct. 30 marks the 75th anniversary of the broadcast. Socolow was interviewed by Gizmodo, the Gil Gross show on Talk 910AM in San Francisco, ABC Radio National’s “Counterpoint” and CBC Radio’s “As it Happens.”