The psychological power of radio.

Author: Crook, Tim
Source: http://www.irdp.co.uk

Abstract

To illustrate the enormous psychological influence that radio transmissions can have on the listeners, Tim Crook reminds on the radio adaptation of H G Wells’s “The War of the Worlds”. The adaptation, which was put on air on Halloween in 1938 caused panic reactions which were according to Tim Crook the result of vicious manipulation. Contrasting this, he mentions that radio nowadays is developing a skit genre, engaging the listeners in ironic entertainment rather than fooling them.

Crook, Tim

Tim Crook works in the Media and Communications Department at Goldsmiths' College, which is part of the University of London. He teaches Creative Radio and Radio Journalism on the MA programme. His publications and research activities focus on the history of radio drama and radio journalism as well as media ethics and laws.