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Television viewing, today, is virtually an universal phenomenon with millions of households tuning in daily to their favorite programs. Indeed, no other communication channel, to date, can claim to have come close to the almost mesmerizing appeal that the medium of television holds. It is, therefore, not surprising that the high appeal of the medium has led to a great deal of debate on the influence it exercises in molding societal and cultural values. Social activists, for instance, believe that the imagery in television programming and commercials leads to the establishing of socially desirable stereotypes and lifestyles, which may be detrimental for population segments that are vulnerable. Such critics contend that television imagery evokes either negative self-imagery or an excessive desire to imitate an ideal, which can then lead to harmful actions such as the use of extreme slimming regimes, substance abuse, or excessive consumption of economically unaffordable goods. The television and advertising industry, along with their defenders, refute this argument by pointing out that the media and entertainment sectors merely mirror society and do not shape it. They further argue that both commercial television programming and advertising, by...
While both sides of the argument, no doubt, has some merit, the nub of the issue really lies in understanding that a democratic society depends on its constituents to exercise their freedom within the confines of a socially responsible conscience. As such, it is the purpose of this paper to demonstrate that television and advertising imagery can consciously play a more positive role in molding social and cultural values, without affecting popular appeal.
The first example that comes to mind is that television programming and advertising do not necessarily have to reinforce stereotypical images of culturally different groups. Take, for instance, the repetitive characterization of Arabs as wealthy but arguably, uncultured sheikhs or Italians as gangsters. Such characterization, over time, not only affects the sensitivities of the cultures being stereotyped, it also negatively impacts the self-perception and confidence levels of minority groups, especially adolescents and children (Giordano). As against this, if popular television programs and advertising were to consciously use a culturally diverse setting or cast of characters, it would…
Works Cited
Benetton. "Photo Gallery." Benetton Group Web site. Accessed Mar. 28, 2004:
http://www.benetton.com/flash/home.html
Biocca, F.A. & Myers Jr., P.N. "The Elastic Body Image: The Effect of Television
Advertising and Programming on Body Image Distortions in Young Women." Journal of Communication. 1992. Vol. 42: 3, p. 108
Giordano, J. "Identity Crisis: Stereotypes Stifle Self-Development." Terry College of Business, University of Georgia. Accessed Mar. 28, 2004: http://www.terry.uga.edu/people/dawndba/4500Stereotypes.htm
The creative ways in which the varied direct involvement aspect has been included by producers in the genre also has to do with technology. Programs where the audience participates in decision making, like when the audience chooses a winner in a program via voting on site or by cell phone text messages are common, as are other audience participation tactics, like on new themed game shows when the audience
Reality Television Television: the ever evolving medium: Television's growth as an edutainment medium has been phenomenal. In societies that are more developed, TV adores the living room of almost every household. TV viewing has been the leading recreational activity for majority of population with U.S. household reported to be glued to their TV sets for almost seven hours daily on an average. Even though TV ownership in Asia and Latin America are
Studies have shown that the better the personal support system for an individual with survivor's guilt feelings is, the faster and more effectively that individual will recover from these feelings (Herman 1997). Though counseling and individualized therapy can also be hugely important and effective -- as will be discussed momentarily -- no psychological practitioner ever could (or ethically should) replace a network of family and friends to provide ongoing
Then, a fourth reason is that reality shows can sometimes reveal situations of success, which in turn inspire and motivate the audiences to change their lives for the better. Examples of such shows include Dr. 90210, in which plastic surgeons operate on patients, change their appearance and as such increase their self-esteem, or the several shows revealing people fighting, and beating, obesity (Goodman). These types of reality shows set the
Individuals watching these types of rejections receive guilty pleasure from something they feel that they shouldn't be watching (Reality television). Also, relating to characters on reality shows helps people to feel better about their own lives and problems (DeWall, 2009). Yes, according to another survey, the ongoing popularity of reality television is due to these shows, unlike other shows such as news programs or sitcoms, allowing the viewers to imagine
It is true that reality television programs have effectively grabbed the public, including the kids attentions. While interest groups do not believe that violence and sex in television programs have any effect on the public, especially kids, the research has shown that the programming contents are highly effective in influencing the behavior of kids. For example, in watching Springer show, many children think that shouting, disrespecting, abusing is common, and