I can think of at least two positive effects television can have on society. For one, television allows people to stay up-to-date locally, nationally, and globally by watching news programs. Having a television in the home can also help make media literacy more accessible to people from various walks of life.
Due to news programming, we live in an age where the latest events from around the globe may be broadcast on television minutes after they occur. This is truly remarkable compared to a century ago, when information could take days or weeks to reach people. Even newspapers and radio news programs cannot really keep up with television news programs today. This immediacy of information drastically changes the way we interact with those around us on local, national, and global levels.
Some people believe having constantly up-to-date news programs on such a large scale isn't good for us. It is possible that having access to information about all the "bad news" contributes to depression, social anxiety, and desensitization to violence. I would argue, however, that the good caused by being aware of current events significantly outweighs the bad. By interacting with news media, people have the opportunity to be informed and actively make positive changes in the world.
Not everyone can afford trips to the theatre for stage or film events, and a significant number of people are either physically unable to leave their homes or do not have enough time to bring outside media into their homes. Trips to the library, video rental store, or a public media venue like a movie theater take time and money. Having a television in the home can make media more accessible to people who cannot otherwise afford it. This can be beneficial for children who may not have access to learning materials or educational programs other than television. Adults benefit from media literacy as an element of socialization that can encourage critical thinking and provide new information about the world.
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