...tears & joys...
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
War of the Worlds
Placing myself in the shoes of one of the listeners during that time, I would've also believed in what I heard. Hearing a breaking news interrupting 'the usual' orchestra performances aired on radio would really catch my attention and get my ear glued to the speakers of my radio for further information. Like the many bothered others at that time, I'll try as much to keep track of what's happening around me and I would want to hear more to know more. With scientists talking, with residents who actually viewed what happened describing what they saw, with military officers warning us - all seemed to be true, factual and reliable. There's no TV to actually show me the real event, but their voices, what they said were the vital information that I rely on for me to know whether I'm in danger or whatsover. It is through what the radio reports that we are able to know what's happening around us, it's our only connection and source of information in our community - of course, I would certainly believe in what I just heard. At that point in time, who would not?One big factor at the time that they took as an advantage was that, it was
only on radio. To some who are really keen, would stick with the saying "to see is to believe". But who would bother to actually go out at a time of danger just to see whether the aliens were really there or not? Of course, people would stay in their own homes that they believe are safe and get attached to their radios wanting to get updated on what's happening.
At a time when radio is the only source of reliable information and Television was not yet invented, people would really believe in such and expect that whatever the media reports, what they hear to be true. Although there are chances of alterations like this, the possibilities that people behind radio broadcasting would do such a thing and deceive people are very low because they know that audiences at that time purely rely on the information that they give and believe in them and it is their credibility, the faith and trust of the people at stake.
Even though it was only a show, with all due respect and in all fairness, it was quite realistic if you heard it during that time. They were creative enough to produce a realistic work that's almost entirely deceiving. Two thumbs-up for their creative ideas that they used the usual way of reporting and acting it out like delivering normal information, made it sound realistic; for the people behind the 'breaking news' effect and the 'live interviews' drama, they were really good especially in radio acting. Plus, the news itself was something new during that time, something they never heard before - added with innovations and much creativity, it came as no surprise that their deceiving attempt was successful and the show easily captured the attention of the listeners, moreover, affected them.
Truly, the 1938 broadcast of HG Wells' War of the Worlds by the Mercury Theater proved how powerful media was. And yes, it still is or more powerful now, even. The media provides us with the vital information that we need to know. Although there may be chances of alterations and the like, the media is still considered as one of the most reliable sources. Especially now that the Television has been invented and there's proof because we are able to see the actually events happening live, we easily believe in what they show us. But still, there are also new innovations in ways to alter videos and the like that can easily deceive us. I'm not against media and I'm not saying that media is not credible and that we shouldn't believe in them or what they report to us are altered and untrue. All I'm trying to point out is that, as viewers we should responsible enough to decide what to believe. We shouldn't purely rely on one source alone now that we have other resources but we should try to investigate on our own. Media will continue to do their job in reporting what's happening around us, it may be true or not - it is up to us, the viewers to decide what to believe.
0comments
so different ain't it?
3:45 PM
