The Value of Television


The article was written by Paul Robinson who teach history at Stanford University. He state that television does not educate people and give lot of negative effect to society especially youth.

Some example that the writer states are the Oprah Winfrey Show

, The Simple Life reality show and Desperate Housewives. All the show is just for entertainment but not educate.Oprah Winfrey shows influence others to follow whatever she said and it might harm others if they do not tap any information. Meanwhile, The Simple Life encourage youth to act dumb and that action is "cool". And Desperate Housewives show bad influence and negative from a married couple of family and show inappropriate and impolite action between mother and children, husband and wive, neighbor and etc.

In my opinion, I think that television have advantages and disadvantages. I cannot argue one side only because some of the shows are rubbish and just for fool and fun. However, some had give lot of expose and knowledge.

When I was secondary school, I watch television a lot but I do not watch certain show such as Akademi Fantasia. I watch Discovery Channel, National Geography and so on. I remember in 90’s, TV3 show National Geography, my family and I do not miss to watch it every Thursday. Because, during that time, to watch something that show animals, country, environment is limited. Only National Geography has that kind of knowledge and makes us, children become imaginative, creative and have ambition.


  • Avoid from let children, teenagers or youth watching television alone in order to limit the influence.
  • By having parents to watch together might help and give knowledge at the same time educating children.
  • Besides. limiting television watching hour also can reduce any negative influence especially towards children.
  • Television also can cause obesity whereby the viewer/audience use less energy to move around and it can be worse if an individual just having meals and the activity do not contribute to the protein burning towards body. Most important is limit the time.

Therefore, don’t hate television but hate some channel and programs that give negative influence.

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