fred@mnetor.UUCP (Fred Williams) (05/23/85)
Several weeks ago I posted a suggestion that increased communications between the major powers could do much to ease world tensions. Specifically, I suggested a television channel dedicated to open political discussions and presentations to be broadcast world wide. Although I probably included non-political subjects as well. The idea being that increased communications would bring greater understanding and hence a decrease in political tension. I asked for comments and promised to post the results, so here they are. The points made by the respondents follow: 1) It is too difficult to keep out partisan propaganda. 2) Suggestion: Can we get Soviet scientists to participate in 'net.politics'? 3) Suggestion: Can we get cable TV companies to broadcast proceedings from the U.N. on a dedicated channel? 4) The medium could be used for hostile communications and even friendly messages could on occasion be 'misperceived'. 5) Suggestion: What about limiting content to purely cultural topics? 6) The plan could be useful *if* any discussion is *firmly* mediated by a skilled third party. Other comments could be sorted into one of the above points. Item 1 seems to be a major drawback. Numbers 5 & 6 seem to offset the objection somewhat, but limiting content to cultural topics might limit the effectiveness. Also, where do you draw the line between cultural and political topics? Who decides? How do we avoid charges of censorship, and partisanism? How does one spell 'partisanism'?? Item 2 would be desireable, but would not Soviet scientists be subject to some sort of control if they are living in the Soviet Union? Are not our scientists subject to some sort of control here? These are, (of coarse), rhetorical questions expressed in order to spark some sort of dialog on the net. I'm not trying to criticize anyone. Item 3 might be interesting to try. Is there sufficient incentive for the cable companies to carry the proceedings? Would the Soviet Union and the U.S. both take part? Would China? Item 4 could be controlled under some form of mediation I suppose. Items 5 & 6 are addressed under item 1 above. So suppose we proposed a global TV channel, broadcast from satellites with the content controlled by a commitee responsible to, say the United Nations. Suppose further that there were a firm and clearly stated 'constitution' forbidding hostile or false messages, and whatever else deemed necessary. Would it work? Would anybody watch? Would you? Cheers, Fred Williams.
nixon@utai.UUCP (Brian Nixon) (05/24/85)
The United Nations operates a few short wave radio stations.