Discussion of Television

Television


Today 98% of American households have a TV set and the same is true of most “developed” countries. Indeed, many homes have more than one set. Television is taken for granted, treated as an innocent “part of the furniture” but, in fact, it does more harm than good.
Supporters of television argue that TV is educational. However, research suggests that TV can slow down young children’s speech development for TV viewing is essentially a passive activity that discourages critical thinking and it does not allow children to talk actively. The fact that children who watch TV frequently tend to have a lack of will in reading and writing is the proof that the link between literacy problems and a frequent TV viewing exists. Similarly, a frequent TV viewing might cause Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
Those in favor of TV claim that television is an innocent form of entertainment, which is helpful for housebound elderly people and the physically handicapped. On the other hand, television often interferes conversation between the visitors and the hosts. Seldom do the visitors end up chatting with the hosts for they tend to keep staring at “the box in the corner”. Many programmes on TV spread fear and depression by focussing on violence, war, crime, and various disasters. Even some titles of western movie show total violence on human bodies, such as cutting off one’s foot, exploding oneself using a bomb, and so forth. Seeing on-screen violence can make us immersed in it and become less sensitive to the real thing in our real life.
Proponents of TV sometimes suggest that the gap between different nations and cultures can be closed by satellite TV news and as a result, the world can have a greater cross-cultural understanding and respect. However, the fact is that the satellite channels are controlled by powerful “western” corporations and the culture of the programmes is predominantly North American, European or Australian. This is not an equal sharing of information, opinions and cultural expressions between countries. Television is often used as a propaganda tool as well. For example, Coverage of the Gulf War or Afghanistan. Television also encourages materialism in a very subtle way. People in “developing” countries develop a desire for Coca-Cola, Big Macs, fast cars, and western fashions.
In conclusion, it is undoubtely true that TV viewing accelerates the process of “Coca-colonisation”; destroys the art of conversation and a healthy, optimistic view of life; and turns people into unthinking, illiterate “couch potatoes”. Just as a drug addict must kick their habit in order to avoid an early death, so the world must switch off its TVs if it wishes to produce active and intelligent citizens!