For most of us, TV provides a window to the world. It informs, educates and entertains. Today, we cannot think of a life without television. The UN General Assembly in 1996 took the decision to observe World Television Day on November 21, acknowledging the influential role that television plays across the world. Even though many people have now switched to smart phones for information and entertainment, TV still plays a significant role as a medium of communication.
Orissa POST spoke to some youth to get their views on TV’s role as a source of information and entertainment in this digital age.
“Television is an inseparable part of modern life. It is one of the remarkable boons of science to the society,” says Jyotirmayee Sahoo, a student of Prananath Autonomous College, Khurdha. “Television remains the most popular and trusted platform for news, culture, sports and entertainment. However, with the advancements in technology, TV’s popularity has declined to some extent. Smart phones have started taking the place of TV. Yet, it is difficult to replace a medium such as TV. We may get all the information and visuals that we want on our phones. But when it comes to entertaining the family, there is no substitute for the television.”
Kajal Singh Rajput, a social worker from Cuttack, says television as a medium of mass communication is unbeatable. “Television has its pros and cons. But it depends upon the viewers as to what to receive and what not. TV has shaped the thoughts, attitudes and personality of many youths. Though there are a few channels which are not suitable for young viewers, there are many others that provide information on travel, food, fashion and sports. Of late, many young people prefer to be on social networking sites than watch TV. But I am sure TV will continue to remain a popular medium for all age groups for a long time,” she says.
“Television has played a decisive role in influencing youth for the past several decades. So, ignoring the medium is not possible,” says budding signer Biswajit of Bhubaneswar. “TV is a great source of information, education and entertainment. It is also the voice of the voiceless. In recent years, though, viewership has taken a beating with the increasing popularity of social networking sites among youngsters. According to a study, 87 per cent of millennials are never without their smart phones and 92 per cent of them browse on other devices while watching TV programmes. Notwithstanding the declining popularity among youth, TV still remains the most sought after device among the middle-aged and elderly people. This apart, a large number of people in the rural areas who cannot afford Android phones spend a lot of time watching television to get their daily dose of information and entertainment.”
Bratati Baral, OP
