Essay/ Composition on : Television

Television

Television has become an important part of our daily life. It has both advantages as well as disadvantages. Television is not only a source of entertainment and advertisements but also an impressive teaching aid of education. Its educational importance cannot be underestimated. It is be- coming popular in schools. Its audio-visual quality makes education programs more effective and interesting. Hence schools are making full use of its potential for importing education. Most of the Bangladeshi families have television sets.

Television, a miracle of science, was invented by J.L. Baird in 1920. State owned television channel BTV started its black-and-white transmission on 25 December 1964, as a pilot project in the then East Pakistan, airing a song by the singer Ferdausi Rahman. It began from the DIT Bhaban (present Rajuk Bhaban) on a four-hour basis. In 1972, after the independence of Bangladesh, the previously autonomous organisation was made a full-fledged government department. In 1975, the offices and studios were shifted to Rampura, Dhaka. BTV started colour transmission in 1980 through a programme named "Desher Gaan" produced by Selim Ashraf. In 2004, BTV launched its satellite transmission under the name of BTV World. The first drama on BTV, "Ektala Dotala", written by Munier Choudhury, was aired in 1965.

Television is an important medium of instruction, education and entertainment. It is a boon for students in a developing country like Bangladesh. Educational programmes can reach out to the students living in the farthest and remotest parts of the country. Informative programmes like the University Grants Commission’s (UGC’s) special instruction on all the subjects meant for students pursuing distance education, benefit every student. Channels like Discovery and National Geographic are the fountains of knowledge. There are several news channels, which provide information on various national and international events. Programmes on debate and discussion enhance one’s knowledge and reasoning skills.

Television mobilizes public opinion, which is a must for democracy. It helps to focus attention on social and political evils prevailing in the society. It popularizes the government’s plans and policies. Thus, students remain aware of the various events going on in the country and around the world.

In modern times, television has become an addiction. Students remain glued to the idiot box. Educational programmes no longer interest many of them. They prefer watching films, music and serials. They fail to differentiate between good and bad programmes.

Constant viewing of programmes by students really harm them both mentally and physically. Most of the programmes contain a lot of vulgar stuff. They promote sex and violence. Contract killings, murders, rape scenes, offering and accepting of bribes etc. are shown in an explicit manner. These scenes influence the innocent minds of children.

On the whole television is a big source of education. Now it is up to our discretion whether we are making good uses of T.V. or we are wasting our time in watching those programmes which are not mean for we the students. The western civilization has invaded the Bangladeshi culture. Nudity, obscenity and violence put a lasting and degenerating effect on young mind. The students should avoid them. Only educative programmes and a few good serials should be viewed by them.