Carnegie Commission on Educational Television

Carnegie Commission on Educational Television was established by the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 1965 to investigate the potential of educational television in the United States. The commission was chaired by James Killian, a former president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and included notable members such as John W. Gardner, a former secretary of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. The commission's work was influenced by the Federal Communications Commission and the National Association of Educational Broadcasters. The commission's findings were also informed by the work of Newton Minow, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and Edwin H. Land, the founder of Polaroid Corporation.

● Introduction

The Carnegie Commission on Educational Television was a significant initiative in the history of public broadcasting in the United States. The commission's establishment was a response to the growing recognition of the importance of educational television in the United States, as highlighted by the Federal Communications Commission and the National Association of Educational Broadcasters. The commission's work was also influenced by the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The commission's members, including James Killian and John W. Gardner, were drawn from a range of fields, including education, communications, and public policy, and included notable figures such as Isaac Asimov, Leonard Bernstein, and Walter Cronkite.

● History

The Carnegie Commission on Educational Television was established in 1965, with James Killian as its chairman. The commission's work was informed by a range of factors, including the Federal Communications Commission's decision to reserve channel 2-13 for non-commercial educational television and the National Association of Educational Broadcasters' efforts to promote educational broadcasting. The commission's members conducted a thorough review of the existing educational television landscape, including the work of National Educational Television and the Public Broadcasting Service. The commission also drew on the expertise of notable figures such as Edward R. Murrow, Fred Friendly, and Alistair Cooke, who had experience in journalism and broadcasting. The commission's work was also influenced by the Cold War and the Space Race, as well as the Civil Rights Movement and the Great Society programs of President Lyndon B. Johnson.

● Purpose and Goals

The primary purpose of the Carnegie Commission on Educational Television was to investigate the potential of educational television to improve education in the United States. The commission's goals included identifying the most effective ways to use television in education, and developing recommendations for the development of a national educational television system. The commission's work was guided by a range of principles, including the importance of accessibility, quality, and relevance in educational programming. The commission's members were also influenced by the work of Marshall McLuhan, Buckminster Fuller, and Margaret Mead, who had written about the potential of media and technology to shape society and culture. The commission's goals were also aligned with the National Defense Education Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which were designed to improve education in the United States.

● Recommendations and Impact

The Carnegie Commission on Educational Television issued its report, "Public Television: A Program for Action," in 1967. The report included a range of recommendations, including the establishment of a Corporation for Public Broadcasting to oversee the development of a national public television system. The commission's recommendations were influential in shaping the development of public broadcasting in the United States, and led to the creation of the Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio. The commission's work was also recognized by President Lyndon B. Johnson, who signed the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 into law. The commission's recommendations were also informed by the work of The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times, which had covered the development of public broadcasting in the United States. The commission's impact was also felt in the United Kingdom, where the British Broadcasting Corporation was developing its own public broadcasting system, and in Canada, where the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was playing a similar role.

● Legacy and Influence

The Carnegie Commission on Educational Television has had a lasting impact on the development of public broadcasting in the United States. The commission's recommendations led to the creation of a national public television system, which has included notable programs such as Sesame Street, Nova, and Frontline. The commission's work has also influenced the development of public broadcasting in other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The commission's legacy can be seen in the work of organizations such as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Public Broadcasting Service, and National Public Radio, which continue to play a vital role in promoting public broadcasting in the United States. The commission's influence can also be seen in the work of notable figures such as Bill Moyers, Judy Woodruff, and Gwen Ifill, who have worked in public broadcasting and have been recognized for their contributions to journalism and education. The commission's legacy is also recognized by the Peabody Award, the Emmy Award, and the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, which are awarded to outstanding programs in public broadcasting.

Category:Public broadcasting in the United States