Ex.2. Do you agree or not? Give a reason for your opinion
Module 6
Mass Media ***
It goes without saying that mass media have become part and parcel of any contemporary society. The press, the radio and television play a very important part in the life of the society. They inform, educate and entertain people. They also influence the way people look at the world and make them change their views. As sociologists say news is not what happens, it is what you see or read about in mass media. In other words, mass media play a very important role in moulding public opinion.
Millions of people watch TV and read newspapers in their spare time. The daily paper dominates family life at breakfast. Most people can't do without a newspaper in the underground or during the lunch break.
TV also dominates the life of the family most of the time. It's needless to say that the TV set is not just a piece of furniture. It is someone who is "one of the family". It is also a habit-forming drug impossible to resist. The radio is turned on most of the time, creating a permanent background noise. In fact it does not interfere with your activities. I can easily listen to the radio while doing Maths, peeling potatoes or doing the washing up.
Generally I'm not very keen on politics, but I do watch news and various commentary and discussions called forums. At a forum several authorities exchange views on social, economic and political problems, as well as on books of common interest. A number of sides is represented so that the listeners or the viewers could hear various opinions. In fact such broadcasts are very popular with the Russian audience, as people are able to see their leaders, deputies and presidents.
Various radio and TV games, such as a panel game or a quiz programme also attract a large audience. During a radio panel-game people send questions to the studio to be answered by the members of the panel, who compete for the best results.
It's no secret that some of the TV and radio stations are owned by big corporations, thus the owners can advertise whatever they choose. Very often the firms and joint ventures sponsor shows and programmes, thus giving common people a good chance to make a fortune or to win a valuable prize.
I dare say that mass media stimulate science and progress. To advertise their goods commercial firms buy TV and radio time. So most of the up-to-date goods, new inventions and technologies become popular and well-known with the help of mass media. So mass media promote quality and progress into our every day life.
Of course advertising promotes business and benefits businessmen. However it annoys the general public. The play you are watching on TV may be interrupted several times by an appeal to use a new perfume or detergent, or drink a certain beer. And though we are used to everything being advertised, watching such programmes gives one a headache instead of providing relaxation.
I would say that it's a great pity that such immense cultural possibilities of Russian mass media are used mainly for the purpose of selling more things... Some critics declare that advertising allows great commercial firms to pull the rest of the people down to their own intellectual level.
However it wouldn't be fair to say that our mass media do not try to raise the cultural level of the people or to develop their artistic taste. I'm generally too short of time to attend an exhibition or to go to the theatre, but I watch a play or a ballet on TV with great pleasure. Thus mass media can save us a lot of time, money and efforts, keeping people aware of what is happening in the world around us.
Ex.2. Do you agree or not? Give a reason for your opinion
1) Mass media are an integral part of our everyday life.
2) TV dominates the life of the family most of the time.
3) TV is just only a piece of furniture.
4) Most people today are fond of TV forums.
5) Quiz shows are not fun on TV.
6) All TV and radio stations are state property in Russia.
7) Commercials on TV are shown just for fun.
8) Mass media form and develop the people's artistic taste.
9) Mass media inform, educate and entertain people.
10) Most of the people can't do without a daily newspaper.
11) Radio is more useful than TV.
12) The intellectual programmes are the best way to educate oneself.
13) Mass media stimulate science and progress.
14) The main task of mass media is to raise the cultural level of the people.