Mass media

The mass media play an important part in our lives. Newspapers, radio and especially TV inform us of what is going on in this world and give us wonderful possibilities for education and entertainment. They also influence the way we see the world and shape our views.

Serious journalists and TV reporters try to be fair and provide us with reliable information. The world today is full of dramatic events and most news seems to be bad news. But people aren't interested in ordinary events. That is why there are so many programmers and articles, about natural disasters, plane crashes, wars. Good news doesn't usually make headlines. Bad news does.

Besides that, mass media educate people. On TV, for example, there are many documentary films about nature, history and what not. In addition, we can learn how to repair our flats, how to cook, how to dress. There are programmes, which tell us about science and new technologies and educational quizes. In newspapers we can find interesting cross-word puzzles. Radio educates us with games.

There is lots of entertainment in mass media. For example, cartoons, sitcoms, humorous shows on TV, horoscopes and anecdotes in newspapers, music and funny competitions on the radio.

Different people like different kinds of mass media. Many people, for example, prefer the radio. It's good to listen to in the car, or in the open air, or when you do something about the house.

Newspapers don't react to events as quickly as TV, but they usually provide us with extra detail, comment and background information.

The Internet has recently become another important source of information. It makes us free and independent in getting information or entertainment. Its main advantage is that news appears on the screen as soon as things happen in real life and you don't have to wait for news time on TV. The second advantage of the Internet is that it combines TV, newspapers, radio, and cinemas. It gives lots of favors practically for nothing.

But TV is most popular. First of all, television is the main source of news for millions of people. In fact, people like TV news because they can see everything with their own eyes. And that's an important advantage. At the same time TV is the most common mass media. You can hardly find a family without a TV set. For many people especially pensioners it is the cheapest entertainment. For me TV is mostly entertainment. I can watch different interesting films, sitcoms, humorous shows. It helps me to relax and raises my mood. Most of all I enjoy programs about animals. But watching TV is involving and takes much of our time. And this can be harmful for health.

TV or not TV.

Nowadays TV is the most popular kind mass media for millions of people. Some people can`t imagine a day without TV, while other people ignore it. Who is right? TV has lots of advantages.  Firstly, TV is a great source of information. In fact, TV tells viewers about all the events in the world or in their local place. Moreover, TV news appears regularly every three hours and there are even special news channels. Besides, TV news is most reliable because we can see everything with our own eye. And seeing is believing. Secondly, TV is the cheapest kind of entertainment. Actually, TV provides a great variety of channels and programs to satisfy different tastes and interests of people. For example, the TV channel «Culture» is for people who are fond of serious art. There are also special channels for children and sports fans.

Thirdly, TV has a great power to educate people. TV develops our minds in different parts of life: science and technology, politics and social life. With the help of documentary films, quizzes, talk shows we can get different knowledge in physics, biology, history and what not. It can be very helpful for pupils at school. With the help of «how- to- do» programs people can learn to cook, to design or to build something.

Besides, TV is the window on the world which gives an opportunity to «travel» all over the world lying of the sofa, to «meet» different people and to learn about their customs and traditions. So, TV makes people smarter; it broadens our horizons and provides us with practical skills.

In addition, TV can be a good friend, for example, for old people. In fact, TV stops people feeling lonely. It provides us with topics for conversation and gives «food» for the minds. Besides, it is a rest for souls. It gives the old a chance to visit world famous museums, cinemas, theaters and concert halls. So, TV adds colors to the life of lonely people.

Moreover, TV can encourage people to do different good things, such as to do sport, to take care of yourself (food, clothes, health), to start a new hobby and so on. Shows with prosocial message can have a positive effect on kids` behavior. Programs with positive role models can influence viewers to make positive lifestyle changes.

However, TV has some disadvantages as well.

To start, it is a waste of time. In fact, TV is involving, so, TV addicts can spend hours in front of the “box” watching silly sitcoms or second-rate soap operas. TV prevents people from doing sport or hobbies, reading books or meeting friends. Pupils often forget about their HW. It can lead to problems at school. So, TV makes people lazy, passive and stupid.

To continue, TV can cause problems in the family. Watching TV, people often forget about their home duties and responsibilities. It can cause conflicts. Sometimes relatives even stop talking to each other and pay attention to family problems.

Another disadvantage is that TV forms bad habits at kids. Firstly, many TV heroes are smoking and drinking on the screen and children can take their behavior as an example and imitate/copy it. Besides, many TV shows glamorize violence. They teach people to kill and to rob. TV promotes violence as an effective way to get what you want without punishment.

Finally, TV is harmful for health. Excessive TV watching can ruin our eyesight. Besides, it can result in obesity as people enjoy having some snack in front of the TV set.

In conclusion, our life seems impossible without TV as it provides people with knowledge and entertainment, but it causes much harm. So it must be used reasonably.