Broadcasting, in it's most simplest form, is the transmission of audio, video, and music by means of television and radio (Websters Dictionary). Preceding the technology of broadcast media, the only form of literary journalism and entertainment was made possible through means of the printing press. Considering that most people were literate by the early 20th Century, the medium of books, newspapers and broadsides sufficed, but lacked the third, crucial element of sound and visuals.
Along with the new technology of broadcasting came a lot of controversy regarding content. As time went on and having a television set in the living room became more prevalent, issues of censoring the media started to surface. People were concerned with what type of shows were being played and what messages they were portraying. Now that networks could broadcast a television program, virtually beam it into millions of living rooms around the country (and World), parents felt that they had lost a sense of control with what their children were watching and learning. Were parents comfortable with the type of content (language, subject matter) of the television program? Did people feel they were watching government enforced political propaganda? Would violence on television translate into everyday life? These new questions that were now raised due to the new technology of television and radio broadcast took an alarming precedent and created a new set of issues up for debate in the current society (and even still today).
Broadcasting was by no means a negative invention and it was certainly a turning point in the advancement of technology and shifted journalism into broadcast journalism. People who lived in the rural mid-west and had never seen the big cities around the country could now see live pictures of such in actual motion. There was no need to go out to a theater on a Friday night for live entertainment when you could just sit and watch a live variety show in the comfort of your own living room. But perhaps one of the most significant live broadcasts of the 20th Century was that of the first ever moon landing of the Apollo 11 in 1969. People all around the World were glued to their television sets watching the live broadcast, with audio, of man stepping foot on our moon. Watching this seemed science fiction to many, a feat unimaginable by most, and to others, it was an astonishing sight that opened up a black-hole of questions and opportunity. Here is a video of this epic, televised landing.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
With the rise of the internet, I think one must also look at the implications of Broadcast media in today's society. Since Broadcast media is accessible by anybody with an antenna, it isn't subject to the First Amendement and is regulated by the FCC through indecency laws. Though their reach is widespread, the question is how much influence will it have in years to come, especially with the rise of the Internet as a primary medium.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very good explanation of broadcasting. While at its base definition broadcasting is simple, it becomes very complicated quickly. The types of broadcasts and the technology that goes into it. Overall a very in depth explanation of broadcasting that is clear and interesting.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many times the definition of "broadcasting" has change, or how many different ways it can be interpreted over the years. Would we consider a blog like this a "broadcast". Or is is just simply in relations to TV and radio? If we put ourselves on youTube, is that considered a broadcast? With all the modern technologies, it seems as though it would be difficult truly define broadcasting.
ReplyDeleteIt also makes me wonder, when it comes to broadcasting, how much power the "broadcaster" has. Does this person influence you one way or another? Do you trust this person to tell you the full, unbiased story? Just very interesting to me how much we trust the broadcast, and why.
I love that you included this video!
ReplyDeleteLike Lauren was saying, broadcasting really has changed over the years. Most importantly, today, anyone can broadcast. Whether it be in the written form or visual, with influences like youtube and blogging websites, everyone can be their own broadcaster.
Lauren, I think you raise an extremely valid and important question. Where do we draw the line when using the term "broadcasting?" Just like most medium, there is a fine line, a gray area, when you factor in the internet. Is a YouTube video considered a broadcast? To me, the connotation of broadcast is that there is no control over the content that you view when you turn your "technology" on, whether it be a television, computer, or radio. So when you turn on the television, you do not know, theoretically, what channel it was left off on and what program is currently playing so you are subject to watching what is on. However, now with the advancement of technology and new media and having the ability to modify and specify content to satisfy your likes, there is no real surprise. YouTube will only reach those who are connected to the internet and search for the specific content and the same would apply to this blog. I don't think I've really answered the question you proposed, but I think I've just elaborated my thoughts on it leaving for further conversation.
ReplyDeleteGreat interaction here. I think it's worthwhile to note that broadcasting is an agricultural metaphor, a way of planting seeds by broadly casting them, which then was applied to what was a new technology. The sense of sending a message out indiscriminately, to a mass audience, remains, and is then contrasted more recently with the neologism of narrowcasting (but narrowcasting is still pretty broad when you think about it, it's just that the audience is more specialized in some way). I think that the technology of wireless transmission itself is biased towards broadcasting, and requires extra effort to limit its audience so that unauthorized individuals cannot eavesdrop.
ReplyDelete