Debate Topics - Television's role in society

Arguments Against
Watching television requires no initiative. The viewer makes no choices and exercises no judgment.
Television is to blame for the fact that children are no longer interested in reading.
Television prevents people from communicating with each other.
We no longer have enough time for hobbies or entertaining activities like theatres, movies, sports, etc.
Television makes you neglect the necessary things like eating, sleeping, and even work.
Many parents use television as a pacifier for their children.
Many of the television programs have bad influences.
What the viewer receives from television is nothing but second-hand experiences.
The more the viewer watches television, the lazier they become.
Families sit and watch television at dinner instead of talking with each other.

Arguments in Favour
Television is not only a convenient source of entertainment, but also a comparative cheap one.
Television keeps you informed about current events, science and politics.
Many television programs introduce people to things they have never thought or heard of before.
Television series have done a great job in popularizing many literary masterpieces.
Television has been good company to those who do not work, like housewives, lonely old people, etc.
Television provides enormous possibilities for education.
Television unites the world. It brings most distant countries and the strangest customs right to you.
Compared with radio, everything on television is more lifelike, vivid, and real.
In the case of serious problems television tells people what to do.
People can be informed about special sales at stores.