SandPaper cites Socolow’s research on ‘War of the Worlds’ hysteria myth
The SandPaper, a news magazine based in Surf City, New Jersey, cited research by Michael Socolow, a professor of communication and journalism at the University of Maine, in the article, “Were newspapers in on ‘War of Worlds’ hoax?” The article looked at the overblown reports of panic following Orson Welles’ 1938 radio broadcast of “War of the Worlds.” Newspapers across the country reported that during the hour of the broadcast, people along the East Coast, especially in New Jersey, had panicked and run into the streets to save themselves, according to the article. Socolow’s research challenges the version of events that has been repeated over the years, the article states. “Radio had siphoned off advertising revenue from print during the Depression, badly damaging the newspaper industry. So the papers seized the opportunity presented by Welles’ program to discredit radio as a source of news. The newspaper industry sensationalized the panic to prove to advertisers, and regulators, that radio management was irresponsible and not to be trusted,” according to Socolow.