The Power of Propaganda

American Experience
Air Date: 10/29/13 | Rating: NR

Many Americans could not fathom that some people heard War of the Worlds and actually believed that Martians had landed in New Jersey. Time and again, newspapers blamed the listener. To journalist Dorothy Thompson, who applauded Welles in her widely-read column, the episode cleverly proved the power of propaganda. Watch this video to hear what she wrote in her column.

Become a PBS KVIE member and watch your favorite PBS programs from any device.

Become a Sponsor