Let us start by saying that during several recent decades television has been a scapegoat of our society. The common opinion is that TV is so harmful that it may be considered the root of all evil because it is one of the main causes of poor eye-sight, fatness, and even an increase of violence and crime in society. Certainly, all these accusations are not groundless, but still, it should be mentioned that television also makes a positive impact on people, though it is greatly underestimated today. Besides, with the appearance of more developed technologies, like the Internet, the advantages and benefits provided by television are also underestimated and this is, certainly, unjust.
In the first place, it may seem unbelievable, but television may be used to save people’s lives. As proof of this statement TV show “America Most Wanted” hosted by John Walsh may be mentioned. The life of this man is very tragic and unique, for he is the parent of a murdered 6-year-old son, but, nevertheless, he “turned his grief into positive energy and has been successful in landing … fugitives behind bars, finding many missing children and providing justice to thousands of crimes” (Klug 36). One of Walsh’s most significant victories in the capture of Christian Longo, one of the most wanted and dangerous fugitives of the FBI. It was a Canadian woman, who spotted Longo in Mexico, and the criminal got his punishment for the murder of four members of his family with the help of “America’s Most Wanted”, and there is no denying the fact that television helped to administer justice in this particular case and many more cases. On the whole, John Walsh, with the help of a TV show, has managed to imprison 1,050 fugitives and find many missing children during the past twenty-two years, thus, restoring happiness in the families and bringing peace to society.
In the second place, television can discover people’s talents and provide entertainment for other people. It is not a secret that nowadays money rules the world, and it is very difficult for a person who comes from a family with low income to become famous and to get an opportunity to show his/her talent to the whole country. “American Idol” is the show that helps people to find their way in life; it gives the chance to become happy, it opens the door for talented people into the world of fame and beauty. Also, it inspires people to be active and gives them confidence in their significance in this world.
In the third place, television is considered to be the main source of information for people. Here news channels deserve mentioning, because they are powerful source of necessary information. What is more, television is cheap and it is very easy to get access to the needed information, because everyone has a TV set at home knows how to switch it on. By means of news channels people manage to follow the changes in political, economic and cultural life of society, they enable people to enlarge their scope and to choose their position in life.
By means of conclusion, it must be mentioned that for many decades already television has been our friend, companion and guide. It can open the door to unimaginable treasury of knowledge and information. It is our task to find our way about it and not to lose it among unnecessary information. People should use television to achieve their aims, to broaden their outlook and to make American society better.
Works Cited
Klug, Elizabeth A. “John Walsh Fights Back.” Corrections Today. 2002: 36.