Author:

Keywords:

Arts & Humanities, History, 2103 Historical Studies, 4303 Historical studies

Abstract:

Science programs flourished during the pioneering stage of Flemish television. These programs of the statemonopoly broadcasting system fitted the instructional purposes of the broadcasting management, in order to advance the emancipation of the Flemish people. The role of the scientist, more particularly the new Flemish academic elite working at universities in their native language, was prominent. Science television emphasized the intellectual authority of the scientist by means of interviews, the juxtaposition of question and answer distinguishing between lay and professional knowledge. Originally, the scientist prescribed the content of scientific programs, yet from the sixties onwards TV producers took over this responsibility. 1969 appears to have been a turning point for Flemish science television: viewers turned away from the merely pedantic programs, and the public questioned the authority of both science and the scientist.