9.16 Independent writing Agree/disagree: The purpose of television should be all educative, not entertaining.
Hundreds years ago, when the idear of television was born in the earth, the inventor never imagined the power of it today. From newspaper, radio, to television even the Internet latter, the nature and the goal of mass media, which is examply for the power of information, never change. Through television, billions and millions of people witness the spacrcraft launching at the same time, observed and discussed 2012 USA presidential debate with people from different continents, share the more and more similar topic about taste of clothes fashion and popular singers amoung the world.However, today some people suggest that the purpose of television should be only educative not entertaining. I cannot agree that point because it disobey the original intention of invention of television and will be a lost to public it this proposal were approved.
Firstly, it is not justified to intervined the freedom of information and automony of media. The original purpose of invention of television is to share information. As a communication media, the television serve as a platform to present what the public have interested in and care about. Freedom of information should not be intervined easily. Public have right to decide what kind of television program they like and need most. The reasons why people watch television are diversified. Government cannot control people's freedom of choice. For example, some times I watch televison just because I am bored and want to kill time or just want to have a rest after work. At that time, my only prupose to watch television is to have a rest and entertainment. I will choose to watch TV show,cartoon or commic plays rather than ethic education program or cultural heritage lecture series. If I know I only can choose the educational program, I will even not choose to turn on the TV at that time. What's more,TV program operators are not nonprofit onganization. They care about rate of observation, interest and preference of mass audience. Without the support of public, it is really hard for TV program operators suvive.Sharing happiness and exemplified joy are also the reason why media workers choose to join media industry. For example, people's love to Ophra' talkshow and popularity of Simpson's family are the motivation for television program creators and makers to drive media industry grow.
In addition, television program control cannot achieve the goal to influence the public positively. Admitedly, the power of television is very influencial. I can understand this proposal want to improve the quality of public in terms of moral standards and knowlege as well as decrease the crime rate. However, we cannot see any evidence to prove educational program can serve this goal and why it is a zerosum game and entertainment program cannot exist at the same time. Actually, depriving the opportunies of public to watch entertainment programs does not necessate public choice to watch educational programs and enjoy it. Students siting down on the class room not means students are learning. Similarly, only providing educational program not means people will watch and enjoy. Very possible,once public realize their freedom of chice and freedom of information are limitted, they might feel they are not respected enongh and might have adverse effect, like not to choose to watch educational program or not to choose to behave as what the ethic program taught. Poeple are not fool and do not like government to treat them as kids. The value of the program no matter they are entertainment program or educational program, should be judged by the audience and time not a certain authority.
Inclusion, providing only educative-oriented tv program is not justifies in terms of freedom of information and autonomy of media, as well as not practical to achieve its intentional goal. Government can encourage media to make more insteresting educational program to attract public's attention and organize diverse educational activities like planting trees and reading sharing in community and invest more in basic education to improve the quality of citizens rather than limit people's choices. |