Key Takeaways:
World Television Day was established by the UN in 1996 to commemorate the first Television Forum held in 1996.
To recognise television’s growing impact as a source of media and its increasing impact on shaping cultural and social points of view, agendas and attitudes, the UN proclaimed 21st November to be World Television Day.
This day highlights the important role of television as not just a tool of information dispersion but a symbol of increased access and awareness in the era of globalisation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Origin of the Day
Significance
Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
At the turn of the 20th century, several technological strides were made in technologies which distributed information and media to the masses, ranging from audio to visual messages. Television is one such invention which forever altered the way millions across the globe received news and intellectually participated in society.
Beyond its role in distributing entertainment media to the masses, it serves as a key disseminator of information, educating millions and raising awareness to promote critical thought and dialogue.
Over the years, Television has changed sizes, shapes and appearances, but its position as an essential and accessible media source has remained unchanged. More and more households now have a television set. Despite new devices and technologies such as streaming gaining prominence in recent years, television remains an important communication tool.
Noting the irrefutable role and prominence of television in shaping politics and culture and the impact it has had on information dissemination and decision-making, the United Nations established National Television Day as a celebration of the philosophy behind the device - greater access to knowledge for the masses and its implications on humanity at an international level.
ORIGIN OF THE DAY
Noting the increasing significance of Television as a source of media, accredited for supporting social, cultural and political changes in the late 20th century, and its potential to further advance accessibility, knowledge, and highlighting issues as they occur, 21st November was proclaimed as National Television Day by the United Nations (UN) through Resolution 51/205 on 17th December, 1996.
The proclamation was done as a commemoration of the first World Television Forum held by the UN on the 21st and 22nd of November 1966. Eminent media figures and UN executives discussed the growing key position of television as a transformative figure in media dissemination.
Television’s irrefutable role in shaping cultural, social and political dynamics and public opinions further created a compelling case for the proclamation of World Television Day.
SIGNIFICANCE
UN acknowledged that communication and accessibility were the most pressing international issues in the contemporary world. Given television’s implications on social and cultural development, the distribution and consumption of information by the masses gained importance like never before.
Television bridges gaps between information and its role in providing real-time access to pressing matters across the globe led to the proclamation of World Television Day in 1996.
In recognising television’s role in addressing the ever-changing human landscape, World Television Day aims to celebrate freedom, accessibility, and human thought and create a more connected world where information and technology go hand-in-hand.
CONCLUSION
As television becomes an even more accessible instrument for spreading awareness and information, its role in glueing the world together through news, entertainment and other formats must be credited.
World Television Day is observed annually to celebrate television as not just a scientific breakthrough in the history of humanity, but how it serves humanity to advance, learn, and empathise all across the globe.
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