The role of television in society is serious enough to inspire degree level modules on media studies courses, and emotive enough to spawn countless books and articles passionately affirming the good and bad influences of television on modern life. Everyone is agreed that television plays a major role in modern society, but is that role good, bad, or a mixture of the two?

Bringing the world closer

Through the medium of television, more is known about the culture, geography and everyday life of foreign lands. Television has helped to make the world a smaller place, and make those faraway places with the strange sounding names more familiar to ordinary people.

Washing dirty laundry in public

Televsion has also made it easier for people to learn more about others - not just famous people, but ordinary people, just like you or your next door neighbours. Programmes such as the Jerry Springer Show in the USA and the Jeremy Kyle Show in the UK allow ordinary people to bring their ordinary - and often ugly - problems to the attention of millions of strangers.

This may bring in money for the programme makers and those who appear on them, and it may also result in help for people who need it, but is it really necessary to bare your soul and your sordid secrets on national television? This type of voyeuristic television may be good for ratings, but it’s debateable whether it is good for society as a whole.

An educator

Whether you’re young or old, you can learn from television. Many programmes are interesting and informative, and even soap operas and light dramas can impart knowledge, even if it’s only a particular way of doing something, or showing you a great place to visit. Knowledge picked up in the process of watching a programme you enjoy is more likely to stay with you than facts which are forced in at school or college.

Fame is more easily attainable

Back in the day, everyone dreamed of stardom, but only the fortunate - and talented - few actually made the grade. These days, there are reality shows for everything you can think of, and the most mediocre of people can become famous for nothing more than making a fool of themselves on national television. It may bring in the bucks for both sides in the short term, but in the long term, it denigrates and demeans the very concept of recognition and fame.

Culture without flashing the cash

Television allows people access to plays, concerts and other artistic media which may be beyond the budget or practical accessibility of many people. Operas, dramas, musicals and live performances can be shared by millions rather than thousands.

Television is a great leveller when it comes to culture. The armchair viewer often has a better view of the proceedings than those in the premium seats at the live performance. All that’s missing is the atmosphere - the cultural experience is exactly the same.

Something to talk about

The goings-on in the latest soap opera, the latest evictions from the reality show or the good/ bad/ indifferent performance of your favourite team at the weekend are all conversation fodder for work, school or the home. While the subject matter may be lightweight, it gets people talking and interacting, and who knows what might come up, and what lasting friendships may be formed as a result of discussing last night’s ‘Dancing on Ice?’

In summary, television plays a major role in society - both for good and for bad. However, intelligent, well-informed adults can separate the good and bad influences, and will not allow television to have a major impact on their lives.