Lingua inglese III - media

The media and television

Nowadays, media is one of the main parts of our lives and our society, and we use the word media to combine all sources of information. There are a lot of different types of information sources, all of them are specific and dedicated to different types of information. Newspapers, Internet, television, radio, and magazines are all media. The media have a few main functions, which include informing, educating, and entertaining its audience.

The role of television

Despite the development of the Internet, television is still one of the most important sources of information. It plays such a significant role in people’s everyday lives that it’s almost impossible to imagine how we would live if there were no TV. One can argue that for many people television is no longer the main source they get the latest news from, but it is practically impossible, however, to find a family that doesn’t have a television.

Advantages of television

There are a lot of advantages making television so popular. The main reason why so many people choose this means of getting information and entertainment is its simplicity and convenience; all you have to do is to press a button and sink comfortably into a chair.

Problems associated with television

The main problem of television is that little by little we become dependent on TV, in particular children who spend a lot of time in front of it. A little bit of television is fine, but hours are no good for anyone, and there are many reasons why it could be harmful, including the antisocial nature that interferes with the normal process of social interaction. Some families never speak to each other because they are too engrossed in the program. You can do a lot of things if you are not imprisoned in front of a little screen. Those precious little conversations are replaced by events on the screen.

The problem is not only the time, but the quality; there is much vulgarity, too many naked women, too many violent scenes. In particular, in the last few years, the phenomenon of Big Brother has become very popular. The success can derive from the fact that it shows normal people doing normal boring things; this is the “Reality Show” and people can identify themselves in one of the characters.

Television's impact

Television, despite many negative aspects, has much to offer. It is a great tool for learning, communication, and for information. Television can inform, entertain, and teach us. However, some of what TV teaches may not be what you want your child to learn. TV programs and commercials often show violence, alcohol or drug use, and sexual content that are not suitable for children or