Although people differ as to whether television is good or bad, TV programs have both advantages and disadvantages. As regards the advantages, television can be viewed as a means of amusement, information, instruction, education and advertisement. Through TV people can pass their leisure time pleasantly and enjoyably. Besides, the public can be informed of the most up-to-date events and world news. TV also contributes greatly to the development of people's thoughts; it can enlighten them on a variety of subjects such as science, art and general knowledge. Additionally, TV plays a fundamental role in the field of business, for it promotes a wide range of products and commodities through the advertising campaigns it arranges and presents. However, this is only one side of the coin, namely the positive side.
Concerning the negative side, TV can be viewed as a means of corruption and a wast of time. With the introduction of TV to our modern world, people have become more and more of spectators and listeners and less and less of actors and participators. The custom of exchange visits with one's neighbors and relatives that marked social life before the introduction of TV has declined dramatically recently. Moreover, pupils have become so much attached to TV that they sometimes forget to do their duties simply because they prefer to sit comfortably and lazily at home watching certain TV programs or films for long periods. This is regardless of the fact that some of theses programs and films encourage violence, crime and indecency.
To sum up, we can say that TV programs can be useful and harmful. It is, however, the duty of censors and parents to select and time the programs which enrich character and personality rather than spoil them. This code of behavior is to be heeded if people want TV to carry out a constructive and noble role, not a harmful and destructive one.
