Television Media

 Introduction: Television is one of the greatest inventions of mankind. Television since its inception has a vast effect on Civilization, ranging from health to sociological and sometimes psychological.  It is an audiovisual device which entertains you through various visual programs transmitted through the air. Today, the television is found in billions of houses the world over. As per global statistics, nearly 79% of total households own at least one TV set.

Advantages of Television

The advantages of television are discussed below –

• Television in Education: The role of television in education building has been acknowledged by many countries around the world. It is used as a tool for effective teaching both formal and non-formal education. A television could be synchronized with the school curriculum and used to teach a specific subject.Cheap Entertainment: Television is the cheapest source of entertainment available to a common household. Various programs on information, education, entertainment, religion, and other topics provide a pool of options to choose from it. 
• Educational and Informative: Television is a good source of education and information. There are various educational channels dedicated to teaching students about a specific subject. 24-hour news channels will keep you up to date about the world affairs. Channels based on wildlife, science, and traveling enhance your knowledge about various subjects .
• Skill Development: Television could be an effective tool for skill development. There are various programs dedicated to skills like cooking, drawing, singing, dancing, etc.
• Motivational: Some television programs such as motivational speeches and talk shows could also be motivational for anyone in need. 
• Wide Exposure: Television provides a wide exposure on a variety of topics ranging from world issues, news, wildlife, science and fiction, history, geography, upcoming world, and national events, sports, hobbies and much more. 
• Family Ties: Television also increases family ties as all the family members sit together to watch a movie or their favorite sports tournament.

Disadvantages of Television –

• Violent and Inappropriate Content: This is one of the most prominent disadvantages of television. Television offers a number of violent contents and inappropriate languages which has adverse effects on youths as well as elders.
• Derogatory to Health: Sitting for long hours in front of the television has a negative effect on health too. It is the cause of many lifestyle diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, obesity, etc.
• Social Obscurity: Person, who is addicted to television, often avoids socializing with friends and relatives, making himself a sort of an introvert. 
• Emotional Vulnerability: Watching too much of drama on television might make you emotionally vulnerable.  Such emotional upheaval isn’t good for the mental and overall health of a person.
• Hidden Agenda: Various businesses have a hidden agenda of targeting vulnerable customers through TV commercials. 
• Shallow Information: The information that is provided by news channels on television is often only half the truth. 
• Highly Addictive: The most effective method to keep the youths safe from the influence of television is to provide limited access to them. Also, there should be a restriction on the channels they view and they must only be allowed to view informative and knowledgeable programs. Viewing malicious and violent content by youngsters must be strictly prohibited. Watching inappropriate content on television will adversely affect their behavior and social life as well as distort their thought and morale.