Television is an audio-visual medium that was invented to fascinate all walks of life without fail. (Leigh 2001). In this modern era, television has become a necessity for the people as it is widely used to distribute current information. In developed country, more than 90% of households have at least one set of television at their home (Sharif 1999). According to American Time Use Survey (2003), watching television have became the most favourite past time in America followed by other activities. Unfortunately, most of them have misused it for negative interest. If television has the capacity to developed anti-social society, then surely it can also be used positively (Sharif 1999). Due to it, people started to raise their concerns regarding to the pros and cons of television. However, I strongly believe that watching television gives more benefits to us as it helps in the learning process that provide us with valuable information that can be used as the point to talk with friends and enhance critical thinking.
Watching television provides an additional dimension in learning (Sharif 2001). It can be use as teaching tool which likely to improve the understanding and retain information easily. Students tend to understand better when they see and hear what they are learning rather than just read (Leigh 2001). Moreover, it provides the young with wealth of information (Rutherford 2002). As proven by Harnessing Television (2001), pre schoolers are more likely to master more vocabulary when they watch education and cartoon programs in the television. They will able to recognise the letters of alphabet and even completes the words before they started school (Rutherford 2002).
Besides that, watching television also enhance critical thinking as it is an exciting and engaging medium to concentrate on. It develops curiosity when we watch it. There’s variety of techniques shown especially on present science, geography and other subjects (Leigh 2001). Simultaneously, it helps the student to dominate the learning syllabus smoothly. Moreover, watching television also helps to refreshes the viewers. Their focus will alter and able to think solution of their problems in a more balanced view (Rutherford 2002). Other than that, watching reality based program can help us solving conflict in life. With the discussion made in the program, it also gives fresh splendid ideas and developed critical thinking of the viewer (Sharif 2001). Eventually, they will get the piece to solve the puzzle.
Additionally, general information from television was passed to the viewers can be used as their talking point with friends. The news item can increase the knowledge of what’s happening in the world. Ideally, it informs the young about global problems that they might not bothered at all if they don’t watch television. If there’s disaster happen any where in the world, people will know. Evidence proves that famine had happened in Africa, it have motivated other to do charity works by collecting funds (Sharif 1999). It inspires people to be concern and take part in their role. It also pushes more pressure on council, major companies, and government. They will be able to influence the major decision that be made the government as there’s consideration on the reaction of the television audience that force to be democracy (Rutherford 2002).
Ultimately, watching television moderately can give us priceless knowledge. Despite of all these advantages, there are critics who just focused on the unhealthy and excessive viewing (Rutherford 2002). Therefore, again I strongly believe that advantages of watching TV outweigh its disadvantages.
