When is World Television Day celebrated? 

Every year on 21st November, ‘World Television Day‘ or International Television Day is celebrated in different countries of the world.  Doordarshan helps in increasing the knowledge of the whole world by focusing on various major economic and social issues.  Presently it has emerged as the foremost force of the media.  UNESCO has recognized television as an important means of communication and information.

History of World Television Day

The United Nations General Assembly on 17 December 1996 declared 21 November as World Television Day.  The United Nations organized the world’s first World Television Forum on 21 and 22 November in the year 1996.  On this day media personalities from all over the world met under the auspices of the United Nations.  During this meeting, there was a lot of discussion about the impact of television on the world.

At the same time, he also discussed the fact that what is its contribution in changing the world.  They discussed about its importance with mutual cooperation.  This was the reason that the United Nations General Assembly declared the date of 21 November to be celebrated as World Television Day .

History of Doordarshan in India

The first telecast of Doordarshan was started on 15 September 1959 as half an hour educational and development programs on an experimental basis.  At that time Doordarshan was broadcast for half an hour only three days a week.  Then it was named ‘Television India’, later in 1975 it was renamed as ‘Doordarshan’ in Hindi.  This Doordarshan name became so popular that Hindi became synonymous with TV.

Doordarshan’s International Broadcast

DD India satellite channel is broadcast in 146 countries.  In the UK, it was available via Eurobird satellite on channel 833 of the Sky system, its logo was Rayat TV.  Transmission via Sky Digital ceased in June 2008, but was reintroduced in the United States via DirecTV in July 2008.

Current scenario of Doordarshan in India

Prasar Bharati is the parent body of Doordarshan, and its board members are appointed by the Government of India through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.  Doordarshan has been used to propagate the government, especially during the Emergency.  During Operation Blue Star in 1984, only government sources were used to report the story. In 2004 it censored a controversial documentary on opposition leader Jayaprakash Narayan during the Emergency.  When Doordarshan telecast the 70-minute Vijayadashami speech of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Mohan Bhagwat, the Narendra Modi administration and the BJP were criticized for “misusing” the public calamity.  According to DD Director General Archana Dutta, “The speech was like any other news programme, so we covered it.”

Since private television channels were authorized in 1991, Doordarshan has experienced a sharp drop in viewership.  Although it earns significant advertising revenue – due to its mandatory feed – from the highest bidder for national events (including cricket matches), it has been proposed to fund it by levying a license fee for a television in India.

Importance of World Television Day

World Television Day: The invention of television marked the beginning of a revolution in the field of information.  The arrival of the second revolution took place when people came to know about the importance of television on a global scale and people accepted it.  Since media has interfered so much in our lives at present that we do not get much information about its importance.

At present we cannot deny its importance.  We should understand its importance and make wide use of it so that the misuse of information related to media can be stopped.  Also, its effect can be reduced.

Television effects on Daily Life

The use of information technology and communication in the present society has made our dependence on it in terms of entertainment, education, health care, personal relationships, travel etc., due to which we have become like slaves today.  We can completely say that at present information technology has controlled the whole world in its hands.

Important Trivia Facts about Doordarshan on World Television Day

• Doordarshan launched in metro cities in the country: Delhi (09 August 1984), Mumbai (01 May 1985), Chennai (19 November 1987), Kolkata (01 July 1988)
• 26 January 1993: Networking of a second channel took place to start the Metro channel.
• 14 March 1995: International channel DD India was launched.
• 23 November 1997: Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) was formed.
• 18 March 1999: Sports channel DD Sports launched.
• 26 January 2002: Promotion/Cultural Channel launched.
• 03 November 2002: DD News, a 24-hour news channel, was launched.
• 16 December 2004: Free DTH service DD Direct launched.

Last Word on World Television Day

Television is visible in every house today, it has become one of the necessities of human beings,in such a situation, World Television Day is also a day to celebrate the importance of Doordarshan and its need in our lives properly.

Credit: Oneindia Hindi | वनइंडिया हिन्दी

Friends, now you must have understood that when and why TV Day is celebrated?  Along with this, you must have also got some important information about television.  Do share this article with your friends and relatives too so that they can also get such important information.

News Source: Samachar Khabar