Technology and Media

On October second, 1957, people all around the world witnessed the launch of the first man-maid satellite Sputnik 1. Many thought of it as a nuclear threat, or a new step in the evolution of science, or the coming of Antichrist. But no one had in mind that this 83 kilogram piece of metal will be a start for a revolutionary step in the world’s media. Only five years after, the first satellite television signal was relayed from Europe to the Telstar satellite over North America. These events became a start of the Satellite Television era, which even now allows people to watch television programs not just from their area, but from all around the world.

After the satellite television became available to the public, people all around the world gained an opportunity to be connected to the world’s media, not just to the local one. This invention changed television media dramatically. Television channels no longer had an audience which was limited by distance, now they could be heard by anyone and anywhere in the world. News channels like CNN were not the only national news channels, many local channels started to broadcast worldwide. Satellite television allows immigrants to be more in touch with their home country by watching news from their country, familiar television shows, and movies on their native language. Of course some can say that this will only lead immigrants away from the assimilation and they will not be interested in the events which happen in the place where they live, but where they came from. But in order not to forget their history and culture immigrants need to be informed about the current events in their homeland. Satellite television also allows people to discover the outside world, understand the viewpoints of different nations, and the most important to know an outside view on the issues inside their community.

With the creation of the Satellite Television people all around the world gained an access to all types of video media. Now people can learn new languages, cultures and gain any type of knowledge without leaving their town.