Is Today's Television A Source Of Entertainment Or A Source Of Information?
Television was invented in the 19th century. It has changed very much through the ages. Nowadays television contains of many ridiculous TV-channels, for example MTV. Only very few channels are providing information, but the question is, what is television idea to entertain or to share information?
First of all, Estonian newscasts are not any more TV-programs, where we can get information about what have in Estonia happened or in some foreign country. It is not only television problem. It also includes radio and newspapers. They talk too much about celebrities and other pointless stories. For example, Reporter, the newscast of Kanal 2, has shown much news about the Karadashian family and I still do not know who they are. I do not understand why people are interested in these kinds of news. Maybe they watch it, because they are bored and have nothing else to do. Unfortunately, it does not give us anything good or valuable, just some knowledge, which we probably will forget after 2 minutes.
The second thing that disturbs me is advertisements. It is so annoying, when commercial stops movie in the most interesting scene and then you have to wait 10-25 minutes to see more, but it is not the worst. People get used to it.
The other reason is more serious. We know that young people like to watch TV. While they are watching, they might learn new things. The idea of commercial is to introduce new developments and get more customers. Advertisements are not only about cleaning products and clothes. They advertise alcohol and tobacco, which is one reason, why people start to smoke and drink at an early age. TV influences people, especially teenagers, so I approve the idea to proscribe that kind of commercials.
Although, there are moments, when we want to have fun and see something humorous. For example, you had difficult day behind, came home and turned on the TV. I doubt that someone prefer to watch some documentary film. So, in this case it is good to have these kinds of TV-shows like "Desperate Housewives", "Doctor House", "Bones", "X-Factor" etc.
In the other hand, there are also very good, interesting and correct newscasts, even if these are in minority. In Estonia is only ETV, which deserves to view. I think that news and overall television channels should be such that they educate and give information we need. In summer 2011 we had new law of traffic. I am person, who does not read very many newspapers and does not listen radio, but thanks to the television I know much about it. Also, I like to watch Discovery Channels and Investigation, because it often helps me with my chemistry, geography, biology and English homework.
In conclusion I think that today's television is more about entertainment. Unfortunately, there are too few TV-channels, which give information and educate. In Estonia, there is only ETV that deserves to watch. In my opinion, perfect television contains of several different TV-shows. Also I think that there has to balance between serious documentary and funny series, because if something is going to dominate, like nowadays dominates pointless soup operas, then it is not good and fetched. In the other hand, some TV-channels are useful for doing homework and I wish they would be more.
Silja Välimets
No comments:
Post a Comment