THE IDIOT BOX

Television- Its uses and abuses

It will be no exaggeration to say that we are living in the epoch of television. Television is one of the most significant inventions of science. It is the first electronic equipment that facilitates us to perceive sound and also glimpse the speaker at the same time. The uses of TVs are many.

Television has been one of the most important means of propaganda and national integration as it leaves a more permanent impression on our minds. Everybody knows that it is an important means of recreation and entertainment. Besides, it is the most suitable medium for mass communication and mass education. Its uses are varied in recent times. We can form public opinions and eradicate many social evils from the society through television programmes. Further, it can be used as the tool for the vital task of increasing production including the industrial and agricultural fields. It can help in imparting family planning education and in spreading mass literacy. It can be medium for giving information and exchanging ideas. It has already succeeded in amusing people and teaching them. It can educate the viewers and widen their mental horizon. Its viewers can enjoy national and international games played anywhere in the world. Talks delivered by eminent persons are carried to the masses through TVs. It transmits programmes on abuses of drugs and alcohols, gambling and lots more. It creates an awareness regarding AIDS, unplanned family and several socio-political crimes. It can be used by the government to provide extensive publicity to its views and the development programmes. It can be used to form the public opinion.

Some experts have suggested the television as the essential components for the success of planning. The government processing should be telecast through TV satellites so that people can view all those which are formulated for them. It is not mere a medium of entertainment but it has far reaching educational and cultural significance. TV sets installed in schools can supplement the education imparted in classes. It is an important means of national unity and integration. TV serials can be used to fight the menace of communalism, regionalism and terrorism. Special programmes with this end in view should be regularly telecast. Indeed, it has brought the whole world at our door-step.

One should not forget that TVs can be easily abused. We know that children imitate the facts and characters that they view on the screen and it may result in a great health hazard for teenagers. Too much TV watching is harmful and wastage of time as well as energy. Sometimes undesirable films are shown which corrupt young minds. The advertisements shows during telecast of programmes are generally misleading the spectators and also lead to the increase in consumerism. It also promotes the concept of westernization which is anathema to the Indian culture. It is, therefore, rightly called as an idiot box. It is imperative that before a serial is brought to telecast for the public, the authorities should look into its pros and cons. In case, it has any adverse perception on the mind, it needs to be banned. At present, we need good and responsible citizens with high moral values. It requires lively serials which have potentials to embedded moral values in viewers. TV programmes must have moral, educational and cultural significance. We can show such serials that are likely to uproot social evils, corruption, regionalism, terrorism and communalism etc. Let us hope that the government would provide such serials that would be beneficial to all in every respect. It clearly indicates that TV does more good than harm if we are selective in watching its programmes.