The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 November as World Television Day (through resolution 51/205 of 17 December 1996). This was done in recognition of the increasing impact television has on decision-making by alerting world attention to conflicts and threats to peace and security and its potential role in sharpening the focus on other major issues, including economic and social issues.
On 21 and 22 November 1996 the United Nations held the first World Television Forum, where leading media figures met under the auspices of the United Nations to discuss the growing significance of television in today's changing world and to consider how they might enhance their mutual cooperation. That is why the General Assembly decided to proclaim 21 November as World Television Day - to commemorate the date on which the first World Television Forum was held.
The celebration highlights how communications have become one of today's central international issues, not only for their relevance to the world economy, but also for their implications for social and cultural development. The celebration also underlines the ever-increasing demands faced by the United Nations to address the major issues facing humankind - and that television - as one of today's most powerful communications media, could play a role in presenting these issues to the world.
Past Statements
"Television can be a tremendous force for good. It can educate great numbers of people about the world around them. It can show us how much we have in common with our neighbours, near and far. And, it can shed light on the dark corners, where ignorance and hatred fester. The television industry is also in a unique position to promote mutual understanding and tolerance -– with content that tells the stories not just about the powerful, but about the powerless, and not just about life in the world’s richest pockets, but also in the developing countries that are home to the majority of the world’s population."
Secretary-General Kofi Annan
World Television Day message
21 November 2003
(SG/SM/9007 OBV/392)
"Recognizing its power, public television has a vital role in guaranteeing access for all people to information on their own cultures and on global events. It is certainly indispensable for the proper functioning of genuine democracies. Television is a decisive factor in globalization. It supports cultural diversity and helps to establish freedom of information."
H.E. Mr. Jan Kavan
President of the Fifty-seventh Session of the General Assembly
World Television Day message
21 November 2002
(Full text of message )
"Television, as the world’s most powerful medium of communication, has a key role to play as these changes deepen and spread further still."
Secretary-General Kofi Annan
World Television Day message
21 November 2002
(SG/SM/9007 OBV/392)
"Television can help the world to better understand the United Nations -- to understand that it is their United Nations: theirs to improve, theirs to engage, theirs to embrace. As we enter a new millennium, I look forward to working closely with the world's television professionals in pursuit of global peace and development."
Secretary-General Kofi Annan
World Television Day message
21 November 1999
(SG/SM/9007 OBV/392)
Documents
General Assembly resolutions related to television
- Proclamation of 21 November as World Television Day : resolution adopted by the General Assembly.
(A/RES/51/205, 28 February 1997) - Principles Governing the Use by States of Artificial Earth Satellites for international direct television Broadcasting.
(A/RES/2917 (XXVII), 1983) - Preparation of international instruments or United Nations arrangements on principles governing the use by States of artificial earth satellites for direct television broadcasting.
(A/RES/2917 (XXVII), 1973) - Preparation of an international convention on principles governing the use by States of artificial earth satellites for direct television broadcasting.
(A/RES/2916 (XXVII), 1973)
Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly
Questions relating to information
- A/RES/63/100A-B, (18 December 2008)
- A/RES/62/111A-B, (10 January 2008)
- A/RES/60/109A-B, (18 January 2006)
- A/RES/59/126A-B, (25 January 2005)
- A/RES/58/101A-B, (17 December 2003)
- More on Questions Relating to Information
Related Documents
- Reports of the Committee on Information
- Reports of the Secretary General on the Activities of Department of Public Information
- A/AC.198/2009/4, 23 February 2009
- A/AC.198/2009/3, 23 February 2009
- A/AC.198/2009/2, 23 February 2009
- A/AC.198/2008/3, 19 February 2008
- A/AC.198/2008/2, 19 February 2008
- A/AC.198/2007/4, 23 February 2007
- A/AC.198/2006/5, 9 February 2006
- More Reports on the Activities of Department of Public Information
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