RTV Theory and Practice - Special Issue

on. For this reason, every programme-maker, whether he or she is behind the screen ог microphone of in front of it, searches for criteria, develops them and cultivates them. One good programming formula is that every broadcast should convey »a slice of life«. Otherwise why have the programme at aU, аге somehow stuck together, But is it really homogeneous? Is it realiy »orientated« (not in one direction, but in many, according to the plurality of self-management interests)? Does something happen which in some way corresponds to the intellectual climate desired? Does it give the listener/viewer a chance to participate in a discussion about something important? Is he aiudous about...? In happy anticipation 0f...? Ог sad because...? Ог does the programme instead just serve to pass the time, on thc assumption, of course, that everyone has time on his hands anyway?!The lightning flash of some outstanding contribution in the programme illuminates the grey dreariness around it with its creative fireworks and just goes to prove н 'hat we could have and how we could have it if we were able to gather together and foster геаЛу original creative talents and not faux-monnay eurs. Sharp criticism can never overlook these marvellous floodhghts of the mind nor the depressing emptiness when they are put out. This is the critic’s creative duty. He cannot say, as Yeats did to his Horseman, »Cast a cold еуе... pass by«. For such works of art аге vitally bound up with the very life of radio and TV programmes. They are living mflestones showing in which direction the programmes should go, and their frequency indicates the speed at which broadcasting should move towards the increased audience participation in creating an inteflectual climate of new seh'-management communication and culture. RADIO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMME-MAKERS AND CRITICS FACE THE SAME TASK For broadcasting practice to become permeated with external critical assessment and for a theory based on that practice to be developed much hard work is required in the long term. Every author able to contribute to a better insight into current practice and to develop a theory based upon critical thought should participate. The unique features of our society demand a transformation of radio and television. Some quite original socio-political solutions аге being mtroduced m contrast to certain attempts in the world today to turn the mass media into servants of the state. Some stress the power of radio and television and their satisfactory fulfilment of an important social role. Others maintain that these are but initial steps and stress the need for a kind of Copernican revolution in understanding the media and their influence. Both social practice and socio-political

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