Every November 21, the world observes World Television Day, recognizing the medium’s profound impact on global society. Understanding Television Day importance means acknowledging how this technology has transformed communication, education, and cultural exchange across borders.
Mattese Lecque, retired Major with the United States Army Reserves, brings unique perspective to Television Day importance. Having served in an era when television broadcast breaking news from military operations, witnessed media’s role in shaping public opinion, and experienced how visual storytelling influences decision-making, she understands television’s power to inform, unite, and transform.
Through Mattese’s lens, Television Day extends beyond entertainment it encompasses television’s role as a tool for democracy, education, peace-building, and global understanding.
The History Behind Television Day Importance
In December 1996, the United Nations proclaimed November 21 as World Television Day, commemorating the date when the first World Television Forum was held. This day was established to recognize the increasing impact of television on decision-making by bringing global attention to conflicts, threats to peace and security, and its potential role in focusing on other major issues.
Television was acknowledged as a major tool in informing, channelling and affecting public opinion. This recognition of Television Day came after media figures met under UN auspices to discuss television’s growing significance in the changing world.
Why November 21 Matters
The UN General Assembly proclaimed November 21 as World Television Day to commemorate the date on which the first World Television Forum was held earlier that year. This specific date holds Television Day because it marks when global leaders first formally recognized television’s transformative power in society.
Core Elements of Television Day Importance
Understanding Television Day importance requires examining the medium’s multifaceted role in modern society.
Information and Democracy
A fundamental aspect of Television Day importance involves television’s role in democratic societies. Television continues to be the single largest source of video consumption worldwide, making it essential for informed citizenship.
Mattese’s military service exposed her to how television coverage influences public perception of conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Television Day importance includes recognizing this medium as crucial for transparent governance and accountability.
Education and Learning
Television Day importance extends to education, where the medium provides accessible learning opportunities regardless of geography or literacy level. From educational programming to documentary content, television democratizes knowledge.
Her healthcare background taught Mattese that public health campaigns through television reach populations that other media cannot. This educational aspect underscores Television Day importance for societal wellbeing.
Cultural Exchange
Television represents a symbol for communication and globalization in the contemporary world. Television Day importance includes celebrating how the medium bridges cultural divides, allowing people worldwide to experience different perspectives, traditions, and stories.
Peace and Security
The purpose of the day is to recognize the increasing impact television has on decision-making by bringing world attention to conflicts and threats to peace and security and its potential role in sharpening the focus on other major issues. This dimension of Television Day importance resonates with Mattese’s military experience, where media coverage influences peacekeeping efforts and international relations.
Modern Television Day Importance in Digital Age
While media consumption has evolved, Television Day importance remains relevant in the streaming era.
Trusted Information Source
This year’s edition showcases how TV is an essential element supporting democracy. Television delivers verified information and is held to high editorial standards, particularly important in the current context of increasing misinformation, fake news and lack of transparency.
Television Day importance includes recognizing television’s role in combating misinformation. Unlike unverified social media content, television journalism maintains editorial standards that promote truth and accuracy.
Mass Reach and Accessibility
Though screen sizes have changed, and people create, post, stream and consume content on different platforms, the number of households with television sets around the world continues to rise. This continued growth demonstrates ongoing Television Day importance.
Multimedia Integration
Television Day importance in the 21st century includes recognizing how television has evolved. Modern televisions offer a wide range of multimedia and interactive content, such as streaming videos, music, and internet browsing. This adaptation ensures television remains central to global communication.
Mattese Lecque’s Perspective on Television Day Importance
Mattese’s diverse experience illuminates multiple dimensions of Television Day importance.
Military and Media
During her 26 years in the United States Army Reserves, Mattese witnessed how television coverage shapes public support for military operations. Television Day importance includes acknowledging media’s responsibility in accurately representing service members’ sacrifices while informing citizens about national security matters.
Healthcare Communication
As a Physician’s Assistant, Mattese understands Television Day importance for public health. Television campaigns educate populations about disease prevention, healthy lifestyles, and available resources saving lives through mass communication.
Community Leadership
Through her role as Commissioner with Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission and involvement with Saint Peter’s AME Church, Mattese sees Television Day importance in local contexts. Television connects communities, shares local stories, and promotes civic engagement.
Faith and Values
Her book “You Can’t Make Me Doubt Him” reveals faith’s centrality in Mattese’s life. Television Day importance includes recognizing how religious programming provides spiritual support and community for believers worldwide, particularly those unable to attend physical worship services.
Celebrating Television Day Importance Meaningfully
Understanding Television Day importance should lead to thoughtful action and celebration.
Support Quality Programming
Recognize Television Day importance by supporting programs that educate, inspire, and inform. Watch documentaries, public broadcasting, news coverage, and cultural programming that uplifts rather than degrades society.
Promote Media Literacy
Television Day importance includes teaching critical viewing skills. Through her work as Chairperson of the Burke Foundation for Student Enrichment and Mentoring, Mattese understands that young people need media literacy to navigate television content wisely.
Help children and young adults understand Television Day importance by discussing how to evaluate sources, recognize bias, and consume media responsibly.
Acknowledge Broadcasting Professionals
Television Day importance extends to recognizing journalists, camera operators, editors, producers, and technical staff who work tirelessly to bring quality content to audiences. Their dedication ensures television fulfills its democratic and educational missions.
Engage with Global Content
Honor Television Day importance by exploring international programming. Watch news from different countries, enjoy foreign films and series, and expose yourself to diverse perspectives that television uniquely provides.
Challenges and Television Day Importance
Recognizing Television Day importance also means acknowledging challenges the medium faces.
Digital Disruption
The interaction between emerging and traditional forms of broadcast creates a great opportunity to raise awareness about the important issues facing our communities and our planet. Television Day importance includes addressing how traditional broadcasting adapts to streaming platforms and digital consumption.
Access Inequality
Opposition to the declaration included concerns that television is only one means of information to which a considerable majority of the world population has no access. Television Day importance must include efforts to expand access so all people benefit from this communication tool.
Content Quality
Television Day importance encompasses promoting high-quality programming over sensationalism. Media that informs, educates, and uplifts serves society better than content prioritizing shock value over substance.
Television Day Importance for Future Generations
Mattese’s emphasis on legacy applies to Television Day importance. What television legacy are we creating for future generations?
Educational Foundation
Television Day importance for young people includes leveraging the medium for education. Quality children’s programming, educational documentaries, and learning-focused content shape developing minds positively.
Cultural Preservation
Television Day importance extends to preserving cultural heritage through recorded programming. Future generations will understand their history, traditions, and values through television archives.
Technological Innovation
Despite the shift in audiovisual content consumption to different platforms and the constantly evolving technology, TV remains an important communication tool. Television Day importance includes supporting innovation that improves content delivery while maintaining editorial integrity.
Practical Ways to Honor Television Day Importance
Recognizing Television Day importance on November 21 can take many forms:
Watch Educational Content – Spend time viewing documentaries, historical programs, or cultural content that honors Television Day importance through learning.
Discuss Media Impact – Engage family, friends, or colleagues in conversations about Television Day importance and television’s role in shaping opinions and understanding.
Support Public Broadcasting – Honor Television Day importance by contributing to or advocating for public broadcasting that serves educational and cultural missions.
Share Appreciation – Use social media to acknowledge Television Day importance and thank broadcasting professionals who work to inform and inspire audiences.
Teach Young People – Help the next generation understand Television Day importance through discussions about responsible viewing and media literacy.
Mattese’s Message on Television Day Importance
Drawing from her military service, healthcare career, and community leadership, Mattese would likely emphasize these aspects of Television Day importance:
Television serves as a powerful tool for connection, understanding, and progress. Television Day importance lies not in celebrating technology itself but in recognizing television’s capacity to inform democratic citizens, educate learners, bridge cultural divides, and promote peace.
It doesn’t matter if you were born with nothing or what resources you have television democratizes access to information and learning. Television Day importance includes acknowledging this equalizing power while working to ensure more people benefit from it.
As we observe Television Day, let’s commit to supporting quality programming, teaching media literacy, and using television’s power responsibly to create a more informed, connected, and compassionate world.
Conclusion: The Enduring Television Day Importance
Television Day importance extends far beyond a single observance on November 21. It represents ongoing recognition that television, despite evolving technology and changing consumption patterns, remains a vital communication tool shaping our global society.
World Television Day is not so much a celebration of the tool, but rather the philosophy which it represents. This philosophy that mass communication can inform, educate, unite, and transform continues driving Television Day importance in the 21st century.
As Mattese Lecque’s life demonstrates, understanding Television Day importance means recognizing media’s power to shape perspectives, influence decisions, and connect diverse communities. From military operations to healthcare campaigns, from faith-based programming to educational content, television touches every aspect of modern life.
This November 21, honor Television Day importance by engaging thoughtfully with television content, supporting quality programming, teaching media literacy, and recognizing the professionals who work to fulfill television’s democratic, educational, and cultural missions.
Television Day importance reminds us that in an age of digital fragmentation and misinformation, trusted sources of verified information remain essential. Television, with its editorial standards, mass reach, and evolving technology, continues serving this crucial role.
Celebrate Television Day importance. Support quality broadcasting. Promote media literacy. Honor the medium that informs, educates, and connects our global community.
