World Television Day 2023: Today is World Television Day, know important things related to this invention of JL Baird

World Television Day 2022: Every year on 21 November, ‘World Television Day’ is celebrated across the world. The invention of television has revolutionized the world, it is a powerful medium of mass communication which provides entertainment, education, far-flung news and information about political activities.

When did World Television Day start?

The first World Television Forum began on 21 November 1996, which the United Nations General Assembly named World Television Day. Today, in every country, meetings are held among people at different places about the shows coming on television and their roles.

Facts about World Television Day

Since its invention, television has been an important means of entertainment for people. Television was launched for the first time in India on 15 September 1959. At that time television played an important role in uniting the country. In that period, popular shows like ‘Hum Log’, ‘Buniyaad’, ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ used to come on television, to watch which crowds of people used to gather in front of the TV screen.

Therefore, World Television Day was established by the United Nations to highlight the importance of television as a source of education that has the power to mold people’s opinions beyond just an electronic device.

World Television Day is not celebrated every year with any particular theme. In this, various topics are discussed and resolved. Over the years, using television as a unique global platform, encouraging means of cultural co-existence and brotherhood, bridging the gap between people of diverse cultures and promoting social, economic, political and social well-being of a nation, Topics like role of television in geographical work etc. have been a part of the discussion.

world television day background

It was announced by the United Nations in December 1996 to celebrate 21 November as World Television Day. World Television Day is celebrated every year on 21 November to commemorate the first World Television Forum organized in 1996.

The United Nations later adopted a resolution recognizing the growing influence of audio-visual media on people’s decision-making abilities and its potential role in focusing attention on other key issues.

Therefore, television was accepted as a major tool for information, system and influencing public opinion. Television also represents communication and globalization in the present day.

Importance of World Television Day

• The United Nations (UN) popularized the idea that television represents a symbol of globalization and communication in the contemporary world.

• Television has played an important role in entertaining people as well as in keeping the family together. Television brought family members closer to each other.

• Television is the major source of information and education, it also influences the decision making ability of people. Because it draws people’s attention towards the conflicts happening in the world.

• ‘World Television Day’ is also celebrated to appreciate the role of governments, organizations and individuals in supporting the development of television media in providing unbiased information about important issues and events affecting the society.

Television and its invention

• Television is defined as a broadcasting medium. In this, images or pictures are converted into electrical signals, after which they are transmitted over a selected medium and then the images are displayed on a suitable external screen.

• Television was invented by Scottish engineer John Logie Baird in 1924.

• Television was first introduced in India in the year 1959 in New Delhi in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

• Government-owned Doordarshan remained the only national channel until the economic reforms of 1991. After 1991, private and foreign broadcasters were allowed to engage in limited operations.