The Ethics of TV

Ethics in today's television shows are almost completely absent. Characters, and even real life people in reality shows, that are absolutely horrible people are glamorized for the sake of "entertainment". For example, the entire cast of "Jersey Shore" do nothing good with their lives, but are idolized and are paid unreal amounts of money to continue their terrible lifestyle. The producers of the show make their life look fun even though they are doing immoral and bad things, just to make people watch the show and choose that lifestyle. There are not many shows I would take off the air, because I know that there are people who watch them and can possibly have some merit, but this one, as well as any other related shows, and shows like it, I would have removed if I could.

Another example is a show that I watch: "Dexter". The show has graphic violence, vulgar language, sex and sometimes drug use. There are very few limits to what is shown, and it is a show that actually makes you sympathize with the main character who is a serial killer, ad you don't want him to get caught. I admit that I share this same feeling, and I have no problems with the shows content, or subject matter.

This shows that society is completely changed from what it used to be, and now violence and behaviour like this isn't even frowned upon. People have become so caught up in content like this that they no longer distinguish between fiction and reality, and what is proper behaviour. When there is a serial killer on the news that is caught, a lot of people are fascinated, and amazed instead of disgusted by what that person has done. In your Law class, people look forward to serial killer Friday because they want to learn about the killer and what they have done because they find it interesting.That's right, the taking of lives is found interesting by a bunch of young students. This is just one of the effects that the new wave of television has had on society. It has desensitized us to anything that was once considered bad.

While the goal may once have been to educate the audience, I fail to see any programming other than children's shows that have that goal any more. The only goals that the television companies have in mind now is to "entertain", and to make money.