Television is one
of the most popular and most widespread forms of media in the United States.
It has the potential to be a great educator and to disseminate ideas about
life and morality that would contribute to the greater good. Since
broadcast channels are public property, broadcasters should be obligated
to the serve public in a positive way.
We live in a society built on capitalism.
As a consequence broadcasters are not as concerned with the public's emotional
or moral welfare as they are with creating profit. In the race to
make a buck, programs loaded with sexual and violent content win out over
programs that do not contain destructive and salacious material.
The American viewing audience appears to have an insatiable appetite for
television that constantly pushes beyond the boundaries of good taste.
Sweeps, for example, is a time when networks air special programming in
an attempt to attract as many people as possible to watch their shows.
During this period the stations pack their shows with racy and controversial
stroy-lines about crime, sex and violence. A few years ago Roseanne's
lesbian kiss was the ultimate draw in prime time sweeps. This year
General Hospital, a daytime soap, hopes to lure viewers by an overt lesbian
affair.
It is unfortunate that today's comedy
deals largely with sexual matters rather than relying on more diverse comedy
of such television classics as I Love Lucy and The Andy Griffith
Show. Friends and Will and Grace, for example,
are two current shows whose foundations lie in overt sexuality. Both
rely on strong sexual references and situations. The result is stultifying.
Have we descended into a one track mentality that excludes the possibility
that humor can exist on any other level?
Programs that serve the public good
should be beneficial and should have an obligation to provide the viewers
with valuable information. This is especially important in terms
of news coverage since television has the capacity to change and influence
the feelings and opinions of its viewers. The war with Iraq is a
case in point. Even American news broadcasters and commentators noted
that the coverage of the war by the U.S. and British press was so different
from the coverage of the foreign press, that it appeared that there were
two very distinct and totally different wars going on. It is highly
unlikely that the public good is the goal of the biased and selective reporting.
Democracy requires educated, informed citizens who can make intelligent
opinions.
I believe the government should act
to restrict violent content on television. The average American child
spends a total of twenty eight hours a week watching television.
The programs they are exposed to have an immense impact on their lives.
Typically, five violent acts are broadcast per hour between eight and eleven
o'clock (American Media Association). By the age of 18 the average
American teenager will have watched 16,000 murders on TV (American Media
Association). Studies strongly suggest that children's exposure to
violent acts on television increases the likelihood that they will engage
in aggressive behavior, as well as instills in them a fear of the world
in which they live. It has also been reported that children who watch
a lot of television have an increased chance of being involved in sexual
activity and alcohol use at an early age (American Media Association).
In an attempt to regulate indecent
content, the government has developed a system of ratings that informs
parents of objectionable content. There are also contracts that allow
parents to place blocks on channels they do not wish their children to
view. Ten minute channel surfing on any weekday night, however, should
be enough to convince most viewers that it is not enough. We deserve
better for our children and ourselves.
Back