World Television Day

Origin of the Festival

The origin of World Television Day, celebrated on November 21 each year. In 1996, the 51st United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 51/205, declaring November 21 as World Television Day, in commemoration of the first World Television Forum held by the United Nations on this day in 1996.

All member states are encouraged to promote the global exchange of television programs to commemorate World Television Day. Among other things, these programs should focus on issues such as peace, security, economic and social development, and the enhancement of cultural exchange. [1]

Television Status

Television is regarded as one of the greatest inventions of the twentieth century, profoundly changing human life. Major news, exciting sports events, artistic leisure, exotic cultures... television has become a window for people to enrich themselves and understand the world, allowing them to grasp global affairs without stepping outside. As one of the most powerful media in today's world, television is indispensable in people's lives. However, because of this, while television greatly enhances cultural exchange worldwide, it also poses a threat to weaker cultures. At the same time, there exists a significant information gap between developed and developing countries, which puts the perspectives and voices of developing nations at risk of being drowned out and marginalized.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once emphasized the need to find ways to eliminate the information gap in television, to maintain and promote cultural and linguistic diversity, and to ensure that television contributes more significantly to the well-being of humanity. Therefore, as an international medium, television should pay more attention to the lives of people in developing countries, showcase diverse cultures and different perspectives, and strive to provide fair information, uphold global cultural diversity, and better fulfill its mission of promoting economic development, social progress, and maintaining peace among humanity.

Development Foundation

The first generation of television, which appeared in 1886, used a mechanical rotating wheel to decompose images into small units for playback. This was invented by Nipkow, who was still a university student in Germany at the time, and later named the Nipkow disk after him. Nipkow carved a series of circular holes in a metal disk in a spiral pattern radiating outward from the center. As the metal disk rotated, these circular holes would sequentially sweep across the image from top to bottom, resembling the view through a constantly moving keyhole observing the outside world. Once the image was scanned into a series of electronic signals, it could be transmitted anywhere via wires, functioning similarly to the newly invented telephone.

Nipkow only proposed the principle of television; however, to convert this optical signal into an electronic signal, a photoelectric conversion device is needed. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a series of technological inventions laid a very solid technical foundation for the practical application of television.

Important Position

November 21st of each year is World Television Day, established by the 51st United Nations General Assembly in 1996. This designation is not only due to the close relationship between communication and the global economy in today's era, but also because of its impact on social and cultural development. On November 21 and 22, 1996, the first World Television Forum was held at the United Nations Headquarters, where key figures from major media outlets that broadcast the "Five-Star Map" via satellite discussed the increasing importance of television in today's rapidly changing world. They considered ways to strengthen cooperation among themselves, recognizing that television draws the world's attention to conflicts and threats to peace and security, thereby increasingly influencing decision-making, as well as the potential role it can play in focusing attention on other major issues, including economic and social matters.

The conference emphasized that the United Nations faces increasing demands to address the major issues facing humanity. Television, as the most powerful medium of communication in today's world, can play a significant role in introducing these issues to the world. The conference invites all member states to commemorate World Television Day by encouraging the global exchange of television programs, which should focus, among other things, on issues such as peace, security, economic and social development, and the strengthening of cultural exchange.

On November 21, 2008, the 24th day of the 10th lunar month, Friday marked the 23rd World Television Day, which also coincided with World Hello Day.

Holiday Activities

November 21 is World Television Day. The "History of Television - World Television Day Themed Photo Exhibition," produced by the Television Department of the School of Journalism and Communication at Communication University of China, is being held at Walnut Grove. The exhibition presents a rich and detailed collection of images that vividly showcase the birth and growth of television, helping faculty and students gain a better understanding of the history and current state of television development. In 1996, the 51st United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 51/205, designating November 21 of each year as "World Television Day" to commemorate the first World Television Forum held by the United Nations on this day in 1996. Since then, the United Nations Department of Public Information has organized the "World Television Forum" at UN Headquarters around World Television Day each year, urging all member states to encourage the global exchange of television programs to commemorate World Television Day, with a focus on issues such as peace, security, economic and social development, and enhancing cultural exchange. The Chinese government decided to hold "World Television Day" activities every year on November 21 starting in 2004, with the first event focusing on the digital development of television and highlighting the "World Television Forum."

Broadcasting Regulations

Overview

To enable the entire society to gain a deeper understanding of the current status and achievements of television development in China, to comprehend the steps and prospects of China's television digitization, to promote the faster development of the television industry in the context of digital technology and the internet, and to facilitate communication and cooperation, the National Radio and Television Administration of China has decided to hold activities every year on "World Television Day" starting this year. Local broadcasting authorities are requested to actively organize and implement these activities according to the following principles.

Guiding Principles

Taking "World Television Day" as an opportunity, we will carry out a series of activities that emphasize the importance of television, promote its development, and enhance its accessibility in response to the changes in the television industry brought about by new technologies. Our goal is to bring television into every household and make it more relatable to the public.

Leadership Organization

The National Radio and Television Administration has established a leadership organization for the "World Television Day" event, led by the administration's leaders, with representatives from relevant departments participating, responsible for organizing and coordinating the annual "World Television Day" activities.

Holiday Theme

Every year, the "World Television Day" is assigned a theme by the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA). The selection of the theme should revolve around the central work of the Party and the state, in conjunction with the actual development of China's television industry, serving the overall work of the Party and the state, as well as the development of the television industry. The NRTA has determined that the theme for the 2004 "World Television Day" is "Digitalization." Local broadcasting departments should closely align their activities and promotional reports with this theme.

IV. Strengthen the leadership of the "World Television Day" activities to prevent errors. Important basic data and policies should remain consistent with the promotional guidelines established by the NRTA (to be issued separately).

Organizing Activities

In line with the established theme of "World Television Day," various related activities should be organized to showcase television achievements, promote the television industry, expand television influence, and enhance television standards. Activities may include showcasing excellent television programs, exhibitions of television program production, displays of television personalities, holding seminars, discussion forums, "Television Media Development Forum," "Television Audience and Television Media Forum," and organizing large cultural performances, public welfare activities, knowledge competitions, and more.

The National Radio and Television Administration will hold the "21st Century Broadcasting and Media Summit Forum" in Beijing from November 21 to 22, 2004, inviting relevant leaders, experts from the broadcasting and television industry, academia, and internationally renowned media figures to participate in the conference.

Digital Television Promotion

The focus of the work for local television stations on the 2004 "World Television Day" is to enhance the promotion of "Digital Television" based on local realities, allowing the public to further understand the development trends of television and the progress of China's television industry. Local television stations and broadcasting network companies should strengthen the promotion of "Digital Television" while integrating various marketing activities to introduce the current usage and purchase of "Digital Television" and set-top boxes, facilitating the rapid entry of "Digital Television" into households.

Chinese Programs Going Global

Invite relevant individuals from internationally renowned television media and media organizations to participate in the activities. Recommend outstanding Chinese television programs to the world, showcasing the achievements of China's television industry. Build a platform for Chinese television media to communicate and learn from international peers, promoting Chinese television to make significant strides towards global standards. International activities must be reported to the NRTA for approval in advance as per regulations.

Strengthen Promotional Reporting

To fully mobilize various promotional resources and utilize different publicity methods, we must effectively carry out the publicity and reporting work for "World Television Day," strengthening coverage to expand its influence and attract widespread social attention. Broadcasting stations, television stations, and media departments at all levels should promptly track and disseminate relevant news about "World Television Day," hold press conferences, and leverage other media to enhance its promotion; produce special programs, invite relevant individuals for interviews, and introduce the background of "World Television Day," the development history of China's television industry, the current status and prospects of digital television, the operational models of television media in developed countries, and the objectives and tasks of holding "World Television Day" in China.

Strengthening Activity Packaging

We need to enhance the packaging of various forms of activities for "World Television Day" to support a stronger promotional momentum. China Central Television should produce a series of public service advertisements showcasing the bright prospects of China's digital television, to be aired during prime time on "World Television Day." Local television stations can arrange to broadcast public service advertisements or clips produced by CCTV or themselves during prime time from November 15 to November 30, based on actual conditions. We should also strengthen publicity through outdoor advertising formats such as print ads and billboard light boxes.

Annual Event

Since 2004, the "World Television Day" event has been held annually on November 21, organized by local broadcasting authorities, with active participation from television stations at all levels across the country, gradually establishing it as a fixed grand event in the Chinese television industry.

Event Introduction

On the morning of November 21, 2008, coinciding with the 12th World Television Day, various departments of Lanzhou Television Station braved the cold to actively participate in a large-scale promotional commemorative event at Dongfanghong Square. Station leaders Li Jilong, Xie Guanglin, Li Baoliang, Zhang Fuxiang, Wang Yongguo, Li Zhengqiang, Zhang Xuli, Wang Xiaoping, and Wang Ren were present at the event. Despite the cold and gloomy weather, the enthusiasm of the Lanzhou broadcasting staff for promotion was undeterred. Whether through radio frequencies, television channels, or online platforms, everyone eagerly participated, showcasing the new harmonious development achievements of Lanzhou broadcasting to the citizens of Jincheng.

This promotional consultation event also featured on-site displays of the shortlisted programs participating in the provincial broadcasting and television excellence awards. The exhibition boards for Lanzhou Television Station's brand programs "The First Common People," "I Am Jianqing," and "Sunshine Hotline" attracted the attention of many enthusiastic audience members, becoming a highlight of the event.

Negative Information

As a modern electronic medium, television is indispensable in people's lives today. Sitting in the comfort of their living rooms or at the dining table, people can see events big and small happening around the world through the window of television. With an increasing number of television channels, dazzling production techniques, and increasingly captivating content, it can sometimes be hard to discern whether the world depicted on television reflects our current era. It is also difficult to imagine what life would be like without television. On "World Television Day," the National Radio and Television Administration announced that with the promotion of digital set-top boxes, China will fully advance television digitization in 2008 and cease analog television broadcasts by 2015. By then, households will enjoy DVD-quality television images and cinema-like sound effects, with channels increasing from dozens to hundreds. The related information, culture, and technology industries could generate trillions of yuan in value, with limitless potential for increased tax revenue and employment. The future landscape of television development is worth looking forward to. Summarizing television's achievements and envisioning a bright future on "World Television Day" is normal, but reflecting on television is also essential, which may be the original intention of establishing a commemorative day. Last year on this day, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan acknowledged the unique role of the television industry in promoting mutual understanding among countries while pointing out the significant television information gap between developed and developing countries. If not addressed, this gap could harm cultural and linguistic diversity. Thus, on "World Television Day," hopes for the future should coexist with concerns.

Reflections on television driven by concern have always been numerous. Critics have long argued that television lacks culture, and those sitting in front of the screen resemble "couch potatoes," becoming increasingly thoughtless and dazed day by day. Such criticism, of course, can be extreme; after all, while watching television may not involve the contemplative gestures associated with reading, many television programs can indeed be enlightening and provoke deep thought. Moreover, an increasing number of scholars and talented individuals are contributing to television, which naturally enhances its intellectual content.

However, continuous reflection, even if extreme, is beneficial. Especially as communication technologies become more refined and powerful, the impact of television content on people is increasingly worthy of scrutiny. This year, the National Radio and Television Administration has issued several regulations, proposing restrictions on the broadcast of violent dramas, halting corner advertisements, and treating classic red themes with caution. This reflects the various issues that arise in the commercialization of television.

It is important to note that while it is relatively easy to identify and control obvious issues such as violence and pornography, television content that is difficult to evaluate in terms of its merits and whose effects are not immediately clear may require more research and reflection. For instance, what impact do well-produced advertisements advocating certain lifestyles have on people's values? What positive or negative effects will the grand "star-making movements" orchestrated by various television stations have on the generation that is growing up?

The trend of digital television technology has made the power of television's dissemination unparalleled. As we envision a brilliant future on "World Television Day," perhaps we should tighten our reflective nerves even more. [2]