Statement of intent:

For our radio show we intended on focusing on the BBC and its 100 years with us

War of the worlds was originally a book published in 1898

Orson Welles narrated the broadcast in 1938 radio drama, he explained to reporters that he had no intention to cause a panic. October 31st, 1938

original release: October 30th, 1938, 8 – 9 pm ET

The war of the worlds was a Halloween episode of the radio series The mercury theatre on the Air directed and narrated by Orson Welles as an adaption of H . G. wells novel The war of the worlds. It was performed and broadcasted live at 8 pm ET on October 30, 1938 over the CBS Radio Network.

The second portion of the show shifts to a conventional radio drama format that follows a survivor (played by Welles) dealing with the aftermath of the invasion and the ongoing Martian occupation of Earth. 

Some listeners heard only a portion of the broadcast and, in the tension and anxiety prior to World War II, mistook it for a genuine news broadcast. Thousands of them shared the false reports with others or called CBS, newspapers, or the police to ask if the broadcast was real.

The episode is famous for inciting a panic by convincing some members of the listening audience that a Martian invasion was taking place, though the scale of panic is disputed, as the program had relatively few listeners.

Orson Welles prepared to direct 10 actors and a 27-piece orchestra for the Columbia Broadcasting System’s weekly “Mercury Theatre on the Air” program.

Millions of Americans back then listened to CBS but it was announced that welles and his cast members were presenting  an original dramatization of the 1898 H.G. Wells science-fiction novel “The War of the Worlds.” Instead, most of the country was tuned in to NBC’s popular “Chase and Sanborn Hour,” which featured ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his dummy, Charlie McCarthy. 

For the rest of the hour, terror crackled over the airwaves. Breathless reporters detailed an extra-terrestrial army of squid-like figures that killed thousands of earthlings with heat rays and black clouds of poison gas as they steamrolled into New York City. Welles and the rest of the cast impersonated astronomers, state militia officials and even the Secretary of the Interior, who cannily sounded like President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

A remake of the radio broadcast based on The War of the Worlds (1938) brought pandemonium to Quito, Ecuador, in 1949, as thousands of people attempted to escape impending Martian gas raids. A mob set fire to the radio station’s building, killing fifteen inside.

History context

People back then were vulnerable to fake news because they lacked other news sources, They were limited back then compared to now.

 By the end of the broadcast, CBS’s switchboard was ablaze, phone lines to police stations were jammed, people around the country were panicking, and people in Newark, N.J. wrapped their faces in wet towels and drove like hell out of town

 Researchers estimated, conservatively, that about 6 million people (a small audience then) heard the show, and about a million or so were genuinely frightened.

 Those who tuned in late and did not hear the opening disclaimer that this was a play were especially prone to being scared. In the first three weeks after the broadcast, newspapers around the country ran more than 12,500 stories about its impact.

39:30 it stops and fades off until

 It was still the Great Depression, with the unemployment rate hovering around 19 percent. In places like Flint, Mich., nearly half of the city’s families were on public relief

 Americans were experiencing this seemingly relentless economic uncertainty, another world war seemed imminent. Just one month before the broadcast, Hitler, having already annexed Austria, demanded that Germany be allowed to annex a portion of Czechoslovakia.

 Those who failed to ​“fact check” in some manner were more likely to panic, as were those with the least education and those who were highly suggestible

 The researchers also found that religion was an important factor in people falling for the broadcast; those who had strong, Bible-based beliefs thought this was the apocalypse, an act of God.

The New York Times reported “a wave of mass hysteria seized thousands of radio listeners” with some adults requiring “medical treatment for shock and hysteria”. Apparently, “thousands of persons” phoned different agencies “seeking advice on protective measures against the raids”

Theory’s

The cultivation theory: This theory can explain some of the hysteria that was caused. Gerbner’s research showed that heavy users of television, radio and newspapers have become more used to its messages.

First, “The War of the Worlds” was aired by Columbia Broadcasting Systems (CBS) – one of only two national broadcasters who were trusted by millions of listeners every day to deliver reliable and impartial news.

 It is also important to note that CBS frequently interrupted scheduled programmes to inform their listeners of the latest updates from Europe.

 In the weeks prior to “The War of the Worlds” episode, the network reported on Hitler’s continued occupation Czechoslovakia and the inevitability of another global conflict.

DRAFT:

My argument to the BBCs newsbeat is that they are trying to include younger audiences in order to stay relevant. By discussing different topics that are relevant to young people like the cost of living issue. They use upbeat music and young presenters to keep their audiences entertained instead of boring them. However their target audience (15 – 29) isn’t being reached. Statistics show that the mean age of listeners are 30 even though it is targeted to teens and young adults.

The BBC created a news program called ‘newsbeat’ which was introduced in 1973 and launched on commercial radio stations across the UK which was different to the typical news. Newsbeat can be heard on BBC radio 1, BBC Radio 1 Xtra and BBC Asian Network at 12:45 and 17:45 for 15 minutes. The BBCs main target audience for newsbeat are for ages between 15 – 29 and they are active with their audiences letting them call in or message them about their problems that relates to the topic they are reporting on. A quote from the head of BBC radio 1 “Radio 1 is about giving young people a voice, thoughts, concerns and attitudes on what its like to be young in the UK in 2022”

The BBC is a Public Service Broadcaster, funded by the TV licence fees. It includes no advertisements and focuses to educate people on what is going on. Radio broadcasting is regulated by Ofcom which focuses on content including use of language, impartiality and protection of under 18s. Because Radio has moved online and to podcasts, regulation has become more stricter.

Newsbeat is active with their audiences letting them call in or message them about their problem that relates to the topic they are reporting on.

Newsbeats is produced by the BBC news and you can listen to it on Radio 1, extra 1 and Asian network. Asian network added newsbeat because of staff shortages as well as the BBC wanted to streamline the news about covid-19.

Newsbeat is targeted to young audiences aged between 15 – 29

Media Industries

• Newsbeat as a BBC News product with bulletins are broadcast on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1 Xtra and BBC Asian Network
• The funding of BBC Radio through the license fee, concept of hypothecated tax
• Issues around the role of a public service broadcaster within a competitive, contemporary media landscape
• The distinctive nature of the programme connected to its public service remit
• Arguments on the need for addressing a youth audience already catered for commercially
• The influence of new technology on media industries – Newsbeat as multi–platform media product. eg
o Website
o Twitter
o Instagram
• The regulation of the BBC via Ofcom and the governance of the BBC

Media Audiences

• The techniques the broadcast uses to target a youth audience and create audience appeal, eg
o Presentation style
o News values
o Content selection
• The opportunities for audience interaction, participation and self-representation
• The way external factors – such as demographics and psychographics – are likely to also affect audience response and produce differing interpretations
• Cultivation theory including Gerbner
• Reception theory including Hall

“Presenters and reporters on Newsbeat have been told to steer clear of polysyllabic words and address listeners as if they were talking to a friend, the programme’s editor has revealed.” – Louisa Compton

Louisa Compton aims to use cartoons, games and digital media to deliver news to a generation turning off radio

To provide impartial news and information to help people understand and engage with the world around them

 “BBC’s switch to digital-first, using video, mobile and online to reach a 15 to 24-year-old audience who are switching off the radio in their droves.”

Regulation

Regulatory contexts:
• Radio broadcasting is regulated by Ofcom
• Regulation focuses on content including use of language, impartiality, protection of under 18s
• PSB has very specific regulatory rules
• Ofcom is also responsible for awarding -and rescinding – licenses which gives its regulation force
• As radio has moved online and to podcasts, regulation has become more complex, in response the government launched a digital radio action plan and Ofcom produces a review each year
• The availability of non-regulated broadcasts via the internet poses a challenge both for the regulator and the regulated radio broadcasters.

possible questions:

To what extent does the BBC attract young audiences

what I know:

Newsbeat is produced by the BBC news and you can listen to it on Radio 1, BBC 1 Xtra and Asian network.

The BBC is regulated by Ofcom and they focus on content including use of language, protection of under 18s.

The produces hope to engage the younger generation to listen to the news in a more entertaining way.

Newsbeat was launched on 10 September 1973 in response to the launch of a network of commercial radio stations across the UK which supplied a news service very different from the style of traditional BBC News.

Argument:

My argument is that the BBC is trying to expand their audiences to the younger generation by

what makes press a quality or not quality tv programme:

Good narrative

good acting

camera angles

Habermas – His theory relates to the BBC because it tells us what is happening in the world and brings people together with opinions and discussion

broadcasting and the theory of public servic.

The BBC created an image for their audiences when they first started off with commercial television and interests of minority audience. It evolved to introduce new audiences who might be interested in the news or other entertainment. By the 1980s that expanded to broadcasting about cultural and political stuff. However politics took over broadcasting and most people became uninterested.

‘the numerous radical press pamphlets and small-scale newspapers of the Victorian era were engines for social and political change. ‘

without advertising income, the free press could not complete with their commercial rivals, and their process of media concentration.

key terms –

dominant signifier = vin diesel on the front cover of the magazine

dominant ideology = Body image

The blue background is associated with male stereotypes, a traditional boy colour

reactionary representation = A heterosexual man and what society expects on him .

negative stereotype = this creates a negative stereotype to men having to be seen as strong and loose weight

Laswell’s module applied

Sender: Men’s health’s is one of the largest men’s magazine and is aimed mainly at “manly” men

says what: The brand of the magazine called ‘Men’s Health’ aimed for active men who want a better control on their physique / appearance to impress society.

what channel: Men’s health is a print lifestyle magazine and can also be accessed on their website and social media.

to whom: Aimed at men who are ‘sporty’ or active. If a man wants motivation to get into shape then the magazine provides infomation on loosing weight to get that ‘perfect body’

what effect: Selling the magazine to their target audience through shops, website or social media.

semiotics:

Iconic sign: The bold text tells you what you can find inside of this magazine issue. It all relates to loosing weight fast

indexical signs: The only image is the dominant signifier placed right in the middle. The muscles relates to the text and the magazine.

symbolic sign: The magazines colour theme is mostly blue which is seen as a stereotypical colour for men, influences them to buy the magazine. Big bold texts all about loosing weight “demolish junk food cravings” and “Blast body fat”. The dominant signifier, vin diesel, is positioned in the middle showing off his muscles.

Men’s health magazine had an average monthly reach of around 1.8 million individuals in the UK between 2019 to 2020

The ages of people who buy this magazine between 2019 to 2020 were 15 years and above and could potentially be harmful for young teenagers because they feel this is how they should look like and that the magazine would help them with their goal to looking muscular.

The media chooses how people should look like. By adding a celebrity to the front page of their magazine it influences young people to buy and read it.

Mens health is owned by by hearst who own 40 different companies founded in 1887.

hegemony – the set of ideas that dominate within society, these ideas are usually formed by those groups who have power

Steve Neale: Genre theory –

Stuart hall:

start:

Men’s health magazine is a lifestyle magazine that is aimed for ‘active’ men who are interested in sports and wanting help to loose weight. The magazine is owned by Hearst corporation who own 40 different companies and were founded in 1887.On the front page of the magazine is the dominant signifier, vin diesel, who is a famous actor. He is positioned in the centre on the front page to grab the audiences attention along with the bold texts that all relate to loosing weight which you can find inside the magazine. The symbolic sign on the front page is the magazines colour theme of blue which is seen as a stereotypical colour for males which influences men to buy the magazine. Stuart halls representation theory points out that hegemony sets the ideas that dominate society .Big bold texts all about loosing weight “demolish junk food cravings” and “blast body fat”. reactionary representation can be seen on the front of the magazine is a heterosexual man and what society expects of him.

Laswell’s module applies in this case the sender: Hearst communications is the sender. Men’s health is one of the largest men’s magazine and is aimed mainly for ‘manly men’. says what: the brand of the magazine called ‘men’s health’ aimed for active men who want a better control on their physique /appearance to impress society. what channel: is a print lifestyle magazine and can also be accessed on their website or social media. to whom: aimed at men who are ‘sporty’ or active. This magazine is viewed as reactionary because the front page relates to what you can find inside, for example if you turn to page 178 – 179 the double spread features another heterosexual man who is demonstrating some exercise .If a man wants motivation to get into shape then the magazine provides information on loosing weight to get that perfect body. what effect: selling the magazine to their target audience through shops, website or social media. Stuart hall suggests that

Men’s health magazine had an average monthly reach of 1.8 million individuals in the UK between 2019 to 2020. The ages group that were buying the magazine we 15 years old and above which could potentially be harmful for young teenagers because they may feel like this is how they are supposed to look like and that the magazine would help them with their goal to look muscular.

	what do you know about	what meaning or understandings do you have of their ideas? How can you apply their ideas to the CSPs
Noam Chomsky	He published a book called ‘the manufacture of consent’. He came up with the theory called ‘propaganda theory’	Chomsky’s theory can be applied to the newspaper for rules and regulation. Their a 5 filters of mass media,1: Structures of ownership is a part of bigger conglomerates with an endgame profit. part 2: To earn money by profiting of the product. 3:
James curren	Published a book about the liberal free press and he writes about diversity of ownership, participation, representation and consumption . The three key questions about the relationship between media and society “how much power do the media have” “what is the relationship between media and power in society” “who really controls the media”
Jean Seaton
Jurgen Habermas	Habermas came up with the public sphere. In its ideal form, the public sphere is the arena where citizens come together, exchange opinions regarding public affairs, discuss and deliberate ideas
Semiotics	sign code convention dominant signifier anchorage	Pierce Bathes
Representation
Audience	is a key topic, lots of different people and terms to know, like: Stuart hall Laswell Lazarfeld
Feminist critical thinking
postcolonialism
narrative theories
genre
key terms for industry and business
PSB public service broadcasting
C.S. pierce	symbolic signs indexical signs iconic signs

Abuse of power –

Habermas, the transformation of the public sphere – using the media to hold people accountable: Prince Andrew, Jeffery Epstein, Murdoch phone hacking.

The complicit links –

The manufacture of consent (Chomsky)

Rules and regulation –

Rules and regulations are important in newspapers to protect freedom of expression and media freedom and regulate media markets, ownerships, infrastructure and technical standards and, importantly, generate content within media that is unbiased.

The substantiation of truth and reality (Baudrillard) –

How can we prove the truth? what is truth based on – morality, ethics, religion, science, empirical evidence