A popular television show reveals more about a nation than the editorial page of a newspaper does.
Describe a specific situation in which a popular television show might not reveal more about a nation than the editorial page of a newspaper would. Discuss what you think determines whether or not a popular television show reveals more about a nation than the editorial page of a newspaper does.
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Television as a tool of mass communication has undoubtedly reached a wider audience than newspapers. The average Joe is naturally more attracted to the colors and visual images offered by TV whereas the plain, written word of newspapers requires more attention in order to understand a message. One need not be a genius to comprehend an editorial page of a newspaper; however, this section attracts more educated people with interests about the substantive issues that affect the nation. Popular television shows, on the other hand, draw in people from all educational, economic and racial backgrounds. Therefore, popular television shows, as opposed to editorials, tend to reveal more about the people of a nation--specifically, their interests and desires.
A popular television show and an editorial page of a newspaper have different motives when communicating messages. The former, in addition to expressing creative impulses, aims to amass profits. In order to stay on the air, the show must attract as many people as possible and therefore, show them what they want and are interested in. The latter usually does not strive toward making money--rather, it is a forum where leaders in a community as well as the occasional civic-minded citizen can air out their thoughts and perhaps affect public opinion and policy. Indeed, both mediums reveal different types of information about a nation's people--however, the popular television show will probably better reflect the concerns and desires of the average citizen.
People turn to a popular television show and editorial page of a newspaper for different reasons. Television, in general, offers people the opportunity to sit back on their chairs and unwind from the drudgery of hard work and daily life. In the United States, average people are enchanted with popular culture (i.e., Hollywood and extravagant living) and prurient material. Popular television shows often cater to these interests and therefore, reflect people's aspirations. Granted, these shows may also develop and encourage these interests in the people but they would not do so unless they know that their material will definitely attract widespread attention. On the other hand, editorials usually aim to educate and enlighten readers with subjects that go beyond sex, violence and pop culture. Often, subjects involving an intellectual tilt are of no interest to the average American.
Television shows, indeed, reveal more about what most people of a nation care and think about. One can extrapolate the psychology of citizens as a whole and their desires through analyzing a popular show. However, a nation is not only made up of people and culture. A nation is also run by a government and powerful interests that affect policies influencing people's every day lives. Indeed, popular television shows usually do not provide analysis or deep coverage of the nation's policies and international relations. Editorials, on the other hand, reflect the two cents of educated people regarding these issues that might also affect the lives of every day Americans. In this sense, editorials can reveal a lot about a nation. However, one can probably receive a more insightful picture of what drives people, as well as the future direction of a nation, by tuning into the most popular television shows.
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