Journey of Communication Technology - Broadcasting Age (1900s–1950s) – The Rise of Mass Communication

Journey of Communication Technology - Broadcasting Age (1900s–1950s) – The Rise of Mass Communication

The early 20th century saw a radical shift in communication with the birth of radio and television broadcasting. Unlike earlier one-to-one methods (telegraph, telephone), broadcasting introduced one-to-many communication, allowing information and entertainment to reach millions simultaneously.

📡 4.1 Radio Broadcasting

🔹 Key Milestones

1895: Guglielmo Marconi sends first wireless signal

1920: First commercial radio station – KDKA, Pittsburgh (USA)

1927: BBC begins radio service in the UK

1936: All India Radio (AIR) officially established in India

📻 Features

Technology: AM (Amplitude Modulation), later FM (Frequency Modulation)

Reach: Could cover vast distances without wires

Content: News, music, propaganda, weather, sports

🌍 In India

1923–1927: Private stations begin (Bombay, Madras)

1936: AIR created and nationalized

1947: AIR becomes a key voice during India’s independence and partition

📺 4.2 Television Broadcasting

🔹 Key Milestones

1927: First television transmission (USA)

1930s: BBC launches experimental broadcasts

1940s: Commercial TV spreads across Europe & North America

1959: Doordarshan begins test TV transmissions in India

📺 Features

Technology: Black-and-white analog signals

Content: Educational programs, cultural shows, state announcements

Impact: Created a visual connection between state and society

📰 4.3 The Role of Print During Broadcasting Era

Newspapers and magazines flourished

Wire services (like Reuters, AP, PTI) used telegraphs to send news across the globe

Newspapers competed with radio for breaking news but were more analytical and visual

💣 4.4 Communication During World Wars

WWI & WWII: Governments used radio propaganda, coded transmissions, and shortwave broadcasts

ENIGMA and codebreaking: Early signs of encrypted machine communication

Public morale & announcements delivered directly into homes via radio

🔊 4.5 Public Impact

Domain	Role of Broadcasting
Politics	Leaders reached the masses directly (e.g., Churchill, Nehru)
Culture	Spread of music, regional identity, and folklore
Education	Literacy & civic awareness via AIR programs
Emergencies	Instant weather alerts, war updates

India Highlights

Year	Event
1936	All India Radio (AIR) launched
1947	AIR announces Indian independence
1959	Door Darshan begins TV broadcast
1965	Daily TV news starts in India (experimental)

🧠 Summary

Broadcasting transformed communication from private to public.

It became a powerful tool for nation-building, mass education, and entertainment.

Paved the way for the information explosion of the digital age.

Doordarshan

Doordarshan began its experimental television transmission in India on September 15, 1959, in Delhi. This initial broadcast was a modest experiment in public service telecasting, using a makeshift studio and a small transmitter. The first transmission was a half-hour program broadcast three days a week. 

https://youtu.be/P5XLLCnsJ04

https://youtu.be/P5XLLCnsJ04?t=40

Here's a more detailed look:

Early Stages: 

The initial setup included a small transmitter and a makeshift studio. 

Limited Scope: 

The first broadcast was only half an hour long, three days a week. 

Early Programs: 

The first news bulletin, which was five minutes long, was read by Pratima Puri. 

Regular Service: 

A daily one-hour service with a news bulletin was started in 1965. 

Expansion: 

Doordarshan's reach expanded to Mumbai and Amritsar in 1972, and to seven more cities by 1975. 

Separation from Radio: 

In 1976, Doordarshan became a separate department within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, though it was still serviced by All India Radio for news.