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Complete PICLE corpus of essays by Polish advanced EFL students (330,000)
/^t/The moment we turn on a TV set or a radio we witness the process of informing us about the field of politics, diplomacy, economy, education, fashion, entertainment etc. On the one hand we are thankful for quickness of information with an easy access to it, but, on the other hand do not we sense danger of being controlled, told and at last forced to accept only one unshakeable reality? This rhetorical question is controversial as people differ in opinions. Thus, some people who attribute objectivity to mass media stated that reality is such as it is presented by them, whereas others adopt less optimistic point of view towards credibility of mass media. We are all aware that air time is limited, so that some amount of information must be neglected for the sake of 'precious air time', what results in incompleteness and superficiality of our approach to reality due to selectivity of information. We tend to justify mass media for the lack of considerable time devoted to some issues allowing them to decide for us which current affairs should be dealt with. Moreover, if we hesitate how to interpret some events, there are always mass media 'ready' to do it for us. Interviews with people whose opinions you would like to be familiar with are broadcast so to make you fully aware of some new reality in a very short time. The press proposes solution to this problem offering profound articles pertaining to current issues. However, one cannot be sure that the articles are not written according to some trends, imposing on a reader certain points of view rather than being objective. Television has not been with us all that long in comparison to the press, nevertheless, it has the greatest impact on people. It is responsible for the discovery of many new playwrights, actors and musicians and shows their creative talents to the best advantage. However, in the past we used to read more books and lead more active social life, but now, we choose to spend a fine day in front of a TV set instead of going out into the world itself. Not only does television encourage passive enjoyment but it also makes us content with second-hand experiences. Thus, little by little, it cuts us of from the real world.