Uses and Abuses of Television
Introduction: The television is a
wonderful invention of modern science. It is really a wonder how the voice is
transmitted along with the image of the speaker through the television. This
wonderful invention has been put to various beneficial uses for the progress
and prosperity of mankind.
Utility: The uses of television are
manifold. Some important uses of it are cited below:
- Communication: Television is the most modern means of communicating ideas and thoughts. We can hear the speech of eminent persons. It has proved its superiority over newspapers, radio sets, and other means. It helps us to get national and international news and views.
- Mass media: People are practically becoming knowledgeable in respect of what is right and what is wrong. They can assert their rights. This ensured the peace and progress of a society. Television can play an important role in fighting corruption and crime in the society.
- Recreation: Television is a source of recreation. After a day’s work a sport-lover can enjoy his game and a music devotee can get his lessons from it. A news-lover can become aware of the latest developments in the world and a politician can know about various political issues.
- Education value: Television has a great educational value in teaching the illiterate and the students. As it is a very powerful mass media, television can help remove illiteracy from our society as well as from our country. Bangladesh Open University, for example, is rendering wonderful service through television.
- An aid to democracy: If democracy means a real bond between the government and the people television is beneficial to democracy. Political leaders can make the people aware of their programmes and thus can form public opinion.
Abuses: Television has its demerits
too. An undemocratic government may control it to exploit the people. It can be
used for sensationalism and can have harmful effects on the moral life of the
people. Sometimes youngsters become addicted to enjoying and watching TV all
day long shunning away their studies. Some immoral pictures are produced which
are really harmful to the youngsters. Our youngsters are fond of watching
Western films. The impact of these films has transfigured their mind and as a
result, they prefer enjoying Western culture to ours. Many times they find an
opportunity to watch BF (blue films) which have bad effects on their tender
mind. Raping, kidnapping, fornication, sexual abuse, immoral facts, hijacking,
looting, robbery, etc. are shown on the TV screens. Watching these films makes them
aggressive, disobedient, kidnappers, and whatnot. Under the influence of
foreign cultures, they become demoralized.
Conclusion: The role of television
needs no further telling to people. Its programmes should be educative,
instructive and harmless so that all the members of a family can watch it
together with benefit and pleasure. And the authorities should be alert in this
regard that television should have no bad effects on youngsters.
