The United Nations’ (UN) World Television Day is annually observed in many places around the world on November 21. It is observed to encourage a global exchange of television programs focusing, among other things, on issues such as peace, security, economic and social development and the enhancement of cultural exchange.
Since its inception, the Television has been a prominent tool which has helped to foster the rapid spread of Information. It has been an effective platform for advertising, political marketing, entertainment and education. Through this device, we are able to get a glimpse of parts of the world we may never visit or see.
Speaking with Associate Professor Dr. Hanife Aliefendioğlu, a professor from Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Journalism Department, she said, “the Television is not just a device, it is everywhere and it always bombards us with information. Unfortunately, the main educating and Informing functions of the television has been lost, it is now mostly used as a source of entertainment especially in our present geographical location”.
When asked if the Television has begun to gradually loose its relevance due to new inventions and how education has benefited from the Television, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hanife Aliefendioğlu stated “For those who have access to those new inventions, I think TV is kind of secondary, but the statistics of efficiently using these inventions is still small compared to the Television. I think the television will still be available 10 years from now, it may be replaced by tablets and computers in high-technologically advanced countries.”
“As far as I see, there is multi-channel TV broadcasting and there are some educational channels, documentary channels, news channels etc. and they tell us what kind of world we live in, they also tell us about the people in the other parts of our world. In other words, the TV broadens our horizons”.
The impact of the Television on the society remains unchallenged and it is a medium that has consistently been used for all forms of information acquisition.
Happy World Television Day!!!
By Jemima Atii
