How does the great radio scare help you gain an understanding of past events?
A.it tells why people are afraid of things they don't understand
B.it tells of a radio broadcast that sounded so real people believed it was true
C.it tells of an event that led to changes in what people were allowed to broadcast
If this is about the "War of the Worlds," then B is the answer.
The correct answer is C. The great radio scare helps you gain an understanding of past events by telling of an event that led to changes in what people were allowed to broadcast.
To understand how the great radio scare helps you gain an understanding of past events, it's important to first know what the event refers to. The great radio scare, also known as the War of the Worlds panic, took place on October 30, 1938, when a radio broadcast of H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" adaptation caused mass hysteria among many listeners.
During the broadcast, which was presented as a news bulletin-style format, the story was so realistic that people believed a Martian invasion was actually happening. Panic and terror spread rapidly, resulting in chaos in some areas as people fled their homes and cities. This incident unveiled the power and influence of radio as a medium for mass communication.
However, the aftermath of the great radio scare led to significant changes in what people were allowed to broadcast. The panic caused by the broadcast prompted the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish stricter regulations on broadcasting, particularly on the use of simulated news broadcasts and the need for clear identification of fictional programming. These regulations aimed to prevent similar incidents of confusion and panic in the future.
By understanding the great radio scare event and the subsequent changes in broadcasting regulations, we can gain insights into how society reacts to new and emerging technologies, how media influences public perception, and the role of government in regulating media. This knowledge helps us understand the historical context, societal impact, and the evolution of media and communication in the past.