Television (TV) is a tool- it can be an evil distraction or used for learning, and creating good. Back in the 1970's, I belonged to a world-wide fraternal organization that had representatives for each of the 50 United States, and several foreign countries. I remember being at a convention in Atlantic City, NJ, where a synopsis of each representative's report was given by the leader of the organization, who prefaced her remarks with "I feel like I've traveled all over the world without leaving my chair.". The person sitting next to me commented "See- she DOES smoke that funny stuff!".
Advances in technology, especially in TV and computers, have enabled us to have contact with people from all over the globe. The World Wide Web gives us insights into the cultures and lifestyles of people from other countries. So do television programs from other countries.
As an American, I am amazed at how prudish we are when it comes to sex and nudity on television! When nudity is shown on television, 99 percent of the time, it is female nudity. Come on, we women like to look, too! Just watch any European TV show, especially the commercials. Watch one of those special "Uncensored Commercials" television shows that the networks have from time to time, and you will be amazed at the difference between the commercials shown here and abroad. Alas- the "Uncensored Commercials" show WILL censor the commercials to make them "suitable" for viewing in the US. Footballers Wives is one of my favorite British shows, and shows male and female nudity, unabashed and uncensored.
TV Censorship has become a huge problem since 2001, when the neocons took office. The standards are getting more and more restrictive, and the penalties more and more ridiculous. Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" during a Super Bowl halftime is a prime example. Federal Communications Commission chief Michael Powell promised an investigation into whether CBS violated decency laws, with potential fines of up to 27,500 PER AFFILIATE WHICH AIRED THE GAME!! .
If applied to each CBS station, the fine could reach into the millions. The FCC in the United States is running rampant!! I can't even enjoy watching South Park on TV anymore- half of the dialogue is "bleeped" out. Soon, there will be nothing left on American TV but Mother Goose nursery rhymes. I know that children should be protected, but ultimately, that's the responsibility of the parents.
Another problem with getting objective and uncensored television is media conglomeration. Nine corporations, mostly US owned, dominate the media world : AOL-Time Warner, Disney, Bertelsmann, Viacom, News Corporation, TCI, General Electric (owner of NBC), Sony (owner of Columbia and TriStar Pictures and major recording interests), and Seagram (owner of Universal film and music interests). You might ask, "What is wrong with a few companies becoming so big? Isn't that how business works?" Focusing on democracy-enhancing principles and the institutions needed for it such as the media and journalism, the concern that arises is that there are very few media owners in the mainstream that reach out to the masses. As a result, there is the risk of reducing the diversity of issues and perspectives and of political influence and interests from a few affecting the many. We have seen this happening since 2001, when the televison, radio and print media seemed to be under tighter and tighter government control. To illustrate: during the Vietnam War, the American public saw images of war on their TV screens, and of flag-draped coffins returning with the bodies of soldiers slain in battle. These images have been "scrubbed" from the TV media coverage of the Iraqi war, probably at the behest of the "powers that be" in government. Why?
The American media did cover the recent Tsunami, and the devastation that it wrought in Asia. We were told by the news anchors appearing on our TV sets that the tsunami was caused by an earthquake. What was NOT mentioned by the American media, but WAS mentioned by news sources in Greece, was that there had been some bomb tests off the coast of Thailand in the Indian Ocean just a few days before the giant waves crashed ashore!! Again, here is government censorship of our media tightening the noose around our necks, and cutting off the flow of information to our brains.
The only real solution for the thinking person who wants to be fully informed is to access TV news media from around the world, and compare notes on how news stories are presented by different broadcasters. Even if you just want to be entertained, having access to television shows from different countries enriches the quality of life.
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About The Author
Dottye Blake is a Realtor in Central Florida, and a wife, mother and grandmother. She is the published author of one book and several songs, articles, short stories and poems.
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Television (TV) is a tool- it can be an evil distraction or used for learning, and creating good. Back in the 1970's, I belonged to a world-wide fraternal organization that had representatives for each of the 50 United States, and several foreign countries. I remember being at a convention in Atlantic City, NJ, where a synopsis of each representative's report was given by the leader of the organization, who prefaced her remarks with "I feel like I've traveled all over the world without leaving my chair.". The person sitting next to me commented "See- she DOES smoke that funny stuff!". 
