TV Programs as Forms of Media That Create a Big Impact to the Society - Research Paper Example

REALITY TV Introduction The broadcast media, particularly, television and its varied programs, is now considered a big part of everybody’s life. Everyday, almost every hour, people of all ages, sizes and/or gender can be seen glued to the TV watching their favorite program. Indeed, TV has become a detrimental part of everybody’s life which is why TV producers and/or networks make sure that they will be providing some thing new or something different to the viewers. It is in this aspect why reality shows came into prominence. Reality TV shows, as the name implies, are TV programs which highlight real life dramas. The characters or the ‘stars’ of such programs are common individuals (ordinary members of the society) who are either invited or auditioned themselves for the said programs. Reality programs/shows are normally aired everyday, or of not, every particular day of the week. Some of the highly known reality shows we have nowadays are Big Brother, Survivor, Amazing Race, Top Chef, among others. This paper will focus on one particular reality show, Big Brother, as this has been a very famous program which various countries around the world (such as the US, UK, and in some parts of Asia) had their own version. Objectives of the Study This paper is aimed at analyzing how reality television programs, such as the Big Brother, construct meanings for viewers. More specifically, this paper is done to: Classify the impacts that TV programs, as a concrete example of media, can provide to its audience Explore the narrative structures and editorial devices employed in the show in relation to critical research on reality television Evaluate the effects of such reality show to the viewers through a series of interviews with a particular avid viewer family Significance of the Study As an aspiring media practitioner, the result of this study will help me on gaining a broader knowledge on the effective media presentations particularly in the TV industry. The results will surely enhance my knowledge on various perspectives of TV producers as well as the point of views of the viewers in relation to the programs aired for them. Likewise, I, as a researcher, will be immersed and be acquainted with the different types of TV viewers. My mind will be enlightened on the different viewer behaviors and how it is affected by media or producers’ strategies in crafting a reality shows like Big Brother. TV program producers and advertisers can all be benefited with his research. They can obtain ideas and tips on how to approach their target viewers to watch and patronize their shows. In the same manner program producers and TV advertisers can also attain ideas on how to attract performers for the reality shows they are to make. Moreover, this paper will provide great assistance to other researchers who intend to tackle media, various TV programs or other reality shows. This paper will serve as their guide on what to do with their papers, and where to start their study. Methodology The suggested theoretical framework to successfully analyze how reality television programs, such as the Big Brother, construct meanings for viewers is: Hence, this should then be the focus when analyzing Big Brother as a reality show. In doing so, in depth literature study and review is conducted in this paper. Most updated Websites, journals and magazines related to the subject of study are gathered and analyzed. The research gathered then served as guides in conducting the interviews with a particular family who has been recognized as an avid viewer of Big Brother and other reality shows. A total number of 5 people (or varying age and gender) were subjected for interview. These respondents were chosen strategically and were asked to answer the following questions: 1. How long have you been watching reality shows like Big Brother? 2. Are you giving enough attention to the way the show is aired: the characterization, the script, and the message it imparts to viewers like you? (Y/N) What do you notice? 3. Are you bothered by the presence of ‘stars’ or characters’ which are not really from showbiz, and are just, in fact, part of your ordinary circle of people? What about the twists in the ‘story’ which are very unpredictable that even the producers have not thought coming, what do you feel about it? 4. Have you been affected emotionally, physically and/or psychologically by what you have seen from Big Brother? In what ways? 5. Do you pattern your way of living as how you’ve seen it done characters in the reality show you’re watching? (Y/N) Summaries and generalization of the responses to the given questions will be done. Thus, the results and discussion of the study is obtained by analyzing the results of the interview conducted and correlating it with the research. Review of Related Literature Various Uses of Broadcast Media (particularly the TV) Aside from that fact that broadcast media, such as the TV and its programs provides, a cost-effective method for reaching large audiences, the numerous other uses of TV add as a factor of its becoming very prevalent. Among these different uses are: TV as an aspect of media can be used in cases where the are only minor barriers; and this ensures substantial direct benefit One can totally rely on TV as the primary tool for bringing about the desired behavior from the receivers or audiences particularly when the barriers to adopting the behavior are relatively minor and if there is a clear and substantial direct benefit to the person making the change (Seels, et. al., 1996). TV programs can also be used in cases wherein there are minor barriers but there is also no direct benefit foreseen If the barriers are relatively minor and there is no clear, direct benefit to the person making the change, or if the benefit is not large enough to be taken seriously, TV programs are still considered as one of a few key tools for bringing about the desired behavior to the audiences (Seels, et. al., 1996). TV programs are essential in creating interest to program If one would want to raise awareness or provide basic information in order to promote receptivity to the program, TV programs could be the best tool to facilitate that (Seels, et. al., 1996). This is because all the forms of media - printed (such as the news papers or magazines), heard (such as the radio advertisements) and/or seen (such as TV programs and ads) could reach even all types of audiences – from whatever age bracket and social or economic status - from most parts of the world. TV can draw people to the program If one would want to attract people to an event, or notify them of an opportunity such as home visits or incentive programs, use the TV programs frequently watched by the target audience (Seels, et. al., 1996). This is why various advertisements – commercial are government-initiated ads - are being shown in the TVs. TV programs are also used for seasonal reminders If people are generally committed to doing the activity but have not done it for a while, a seasonal reminder through the TVs may prove helpful. For example, seasonal reminders can be used to promote cleanliness of one’s community (Seels, et. al., 1996). TV programs are good in stimulating face-face conversations A good media campaign can get people talking with one another about the issues and/or actions that the campaign is trying to promote (Seels, et. al., 1996). Through this, encouraging people to initiate an action or a response towards a certain economic or governmental issue can easily be done. This is also why surveys and people analyses are also very common in most researches because TV programs can provide the shortest bridge to access on the people. TV programs show participation and results Once the program has gained participation and has started to show results, the media could provide excellent opportunities for providing group feedback, strengthening norm appeals and building motivation (Seels, et. al., 1996). Interests of TV Program owners, Advertisers, and the Public There is a bit big difference on the interest or purpose with respect to TV program owners, the advertisers and even the public. The TV program owners, for example, because they own the program or because they have this direct control over a program, they would be definitely interested in gaining something in return for their company. They would be charging anyone, any body, or any group who would want to use their program in whatever way. Furthermore, the TV program owners will not entertain everything and anything that would put their company to bad light. That is why only selected information or campaign could be shown in different TV programs because they are protecting the image of their companies/program. The advertisers, on the other hand, have their own line of interests. Their very goal is to highlight their campaign, product, and program among others. They would pay any TV program owner to do just that. And they would want the public – the audience – to patronize or follow their campaigns, programs or products. To do this, only the benefits would be highlighted, and to some extent, the negative side or the disadvantage of the opposing campaigns or programs or products will also be given enough exposures. As for the public, their main interest is to be informed and/or entertained… to get as much information as what their mind could accommodate. The very goal of the public is to get the right information, at the right time and at the right place. The only problem that the public usually encounters is the idea that because the TV programs’ owners and the advertisers has their own agenda, the public is sometimes being positioned to situations where they are unsure of what or whom to believe in or follow. The Impacts of Controversial TV Programs to Viewers In analyzing the impacts of controversial TV programs to viewers, particularly the children or those under a vulnerable state, there are a number of factors to consider. It should be noted that when considering the effect of TV programs to viewers, one must consider both the "immediate effect of making the viewer want the advertised product and the cumulative effect of viewers developing general habits” (Horgan, et. al., 2001). This only means that a TV program may either have a long term or a short term effect to the viewers. Impact to Health Based on records, most of the TV programs nowadays, greatly highlight foods or food products. However, most of these food products being advertised are not good to health, or are unhealthy, and viewers who are in their young minds, can be extremely affected. “The number of TV programs directed at children viewers has steadily increased over the last twenty years, and has roughly doubled since the 1970s. The number of ads aired for foods such as frozen dinners, which are typically high in fat and sodium, has more than doubled in the last twenty years.” (Horgan, et. al., 2001) Because of the increasing rates of unhealthy foods being shown in conjunction with the TV programs, the number of viewers with abnormal weight also increases. In fact, the rate of obesity in the general population increased up to three times during the same period when the numbers of unhealthy diet commercials were advertised. Because of this, it can be easily concluded that controversial TV programs such as this (i.e. unhealthy diet and lifestyle) can “lead otherwise healthy children to develop unhealthful eating habits and become overweight and already overweight children to further exacerbate their weight problem” (Horgan, et. al., 2001). Unfavorable advertisements also affect people’s preference to food in a sense that “the influence of ads for unhealthful foods seems to be stronger than the influence of ads for healthful foods.” Because the advertisements of unhealthful foods seem to be more appealing than the healthful foods, it has been revealed that more and more viewers do prefer having candies, chocolates, sodas and other junk and/or processed foods as part of their diet, and eating on fast food restaurants or having instant noodles as part of their lifestyle (Horgan, et. al., 2001). “Studies have found that commercials not only influence children to eat more of the foods that they do not need, but also cause them to eat less of the foods that they do need. A study that showed one group of children ads for fruit and fruit juice and another group of children ads for candy and Kool-Aid found a significant correlation between the ads the children watched and their food and drink choices. Another study indicated that viewing ads for unhealthful foods may lead children to eat fewer fruits and vegetables” (Horgan, et. al., 2001). Impact to Viewers’ Materialistic Nature With the high rate of TV programs and an equally high amount of time spent by the people watching TVs, a study just disclosed TV programs also influence viewers to be more “materialistic” (Horgan, et. al., 2001). Children viewers, in particular, who tend to absorb more advertisements tend to ask and/or beg for their parents to buy them the items being shown in the TV programs they frequently watch. The higher the frequency of TV programs watched for a certain item (such as toy, clothes, etc) the more the children want to have such item. More so, if the parents deny their kids for such request, they tend to become upset and would be angry to their parents. Hence, controversial programs such as this not only enhance the children’s tendency to become materialistic but it also changes the children’s behavior thereby affecting even their values. Impacts to Reinforcement of Racial Stereotypes It was noted that the TV programs which are proven to also have significant effect on the viewers’ racist tendencies. Because there are very few programs that use the minority groups as the characters, viewers, especially the children, are made to believe that these minority groups are not part of the “elites” and are just second-class citizen. This then cultivates the idea that minority groups do not deserve to receive the same attention that what other citizens are receiving, thus a clear indication of racism. Results of the Study A family (who wished their named to be kept in private) was chosen to participate in this study. They are a family of five (with a 35 year old father, 33 year-old mom, 16 year-old daughter and 11 and 6 year-old sons). This particular family may look like the ordinary families we have around the community, but what’s so special about this family is the fact that they are so engrossed in watching reality shows, especially the Big Brother, that they could not go out at nights unless the place where they going to would have a TV set (where they could watch Big Brother). It should be noted that in reality shows like the Big brother, there really is no script to follow. The director and the program producers totally rely on the characters on how the ‘story’ will evolve. What they need to do is to find certain display of various humanistic emotions in which they think the viewers can certainly relate to. Directors and program producers will also need to think day-to-day activities that they will be asking the ‘characters’ to do so that every night of every show, there is something new to watch for by the viewers. Such activities also serve as tests or challenges for the ‘characters’ which will, sometimes, in turn push them to their limits forcing them to be evicted out of the Big Brother house or of whatever reality show it is. Below is the summarized version of their responses to interview questions: 1. How long have you been watching reality shows like Big Brother? The members of the family are one in saying that they have been watching Big Brother since it was introduced in TV. In fact, they subscribed to cable so that they will be able to watch other country’s version of Big Brother too. 2. Are you giving enough attention to the way the show is aired: the characterization, the script, and the message it imparts to viewers like you? What do you notice? The older members of the family (both parents and the 16-year old daughter) revealed that they are very particular with the characters and how the directors and program producers conceptualize activities for such characters. They would find it amusing if in some parts, the ‘characters’ could not perform in the activities (and they personally feel that those activities are nothing but an easy task). Sometimes, they empathized with the characters when they miss their families and would want to go out of the Big Brother house. The teenage-daughter even disclosed that she feels that she could not live 45 long days in a house full of strangers and without her family to hang on to, much worst, without any contact to the outside world. Meanwhile, the two youngsters (the 11 and 6 year-old boys) said that they do not care much about the ‘characters’ or of the directors and the program producers. They watch it because their parents and older sister watch it. they laugh with them when the ‘character’s did funny things or when they failed at some easy-looking challenges. 3. Are you bothered by the presence of ‘stars’ or characters’ which are not really from showbiz, and are just, in fact, part of your ordinary circle of people? What about the twists in the ‘story’ which are very unpredictable that even the producers have not thought coming, what do you feel about it? The parents, especially the mom, stressed that what she loved about the Big Brother house is the fact that the ‘characters’ are just ordinary people. They come from various walks of life. They represent the majority of the populace that s why she can easily relate to the characters’ thoughts and feelings. The father further added that when certain national issue is raised in the Big Brother house, and the characters commented on it, he would always find himself agreeing or disagreeing with the characters because they have raised a point which represents him, as a commoner, or as an ordinary citizen. And he personally think that if big personalities (either from showbiz or politics) are the characters in the said Big Brother house, he would not feel the same. The teenager and the two youngsters have different views from the parents. They said that it is nice to have those ‘unknown’ characters in the reality shows, but if known teenagers from the showbiz circle are to be included, it would be more exciting for them. 4. Have you been affected emotionally, physically and/or psychologically by what you have seen from Big Brother? In what ways? “Definitely!” This the common answer from all the members of the family. The parents are affected emotionally and psychologically. In this reality show, they have seen how youngsters act when they are out of their parents’ sights. And that’s what bothered them the mot. They now worry about their kids. They tend to be paranoid sometimes, especially when their 16-year old daughter will go out with friends. The father would worry about what his daughter would be doing. The mother will even think that their daughter might be acting differently when not in front of the family. The 16 year-old teenager revealed that because Big Brother house is a very famous reality show in the country, she sometimes pattern the way she dresses herself to her favorite ‘character’ in the said reality show. The boys said that they are affected but could not easily pinpoint how. They said that all of the characters in the Big Brother house are much older than them. But their opinions towards certain things and their style of expressing themselves affects how them. 5. Do you pattern your way of living as how you’ve seen it done characters in the reality show you’re watching? (Y/N) Both the mother and father said no. They said that because they are old enough, they know what they want and how to do it better. At most times they would comment ‘been there, done that’ at some of the experiences highlighted in the Big Brother house. The teenager re-stated that she normally patterns her style of clothing with her favorite character in the Big Brother house. While the two youngsters said that no, they cannot do that as they always ask their mom and dad what to do or what to get, etc. Conclusion TV programs are forms of media that create a big impact to the society. It may affect the whole being of the viewers. Because of the tremendous success of various TV programs, TV producers have thought of something new and something different to present to their avid viewers, thus the birth of reality shows. Big Brother is one of the famous reality shows being aired in many countries around the globe today. A lot of versions have been used but the concept remains the same – the people who will act as the ‘characters’ are mostly ordinary citizens representing people from all ages, gender, and/or cultural background; unlike any other TV program, there will be script to memorize and/follow and there’s even no director to cut or edit if the characters did something wrong. It is a reality show and it certainly shows real life dramas, event and emotions. Based on the literature reviewed and the responses given by the participants of this study, it can be concluded that TV programs like the reality shows do affect the viewers. They give profound impact in the people’s psychological, emotional and physical state. And this is exactly how reality shows, like the Big Brother house, construct meanings for its viewers. Reality shows, like the Big Brother house, is meant to show to its viewers the other side of life. These reality shows really intend to reveal what people can do and cannot do when they are confined in a place with no outside communication. They exist and become famous because they are able to impart to their viewers that life in TV is exactly like the life in the outside world - real, challenging and unpredictable. References: Barwise P., & Ehrenberg, A. S. C. 1988. Television and its audience. London: Sage. Horgan, K.B. et al. 2001. “Television Food Advertising: Targeting Children in a Toxic Environment,” The handbook of Children and the Media. Lincoln, Y. S. and Guba, E. G. 1985. Naturalistic Inquiry, Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA. McKoon, Gail and Ratcliff, Roger. 1992. Spreading Activation Versus Compound Cue Accounts of Priming: Mediated Priming Revisited. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory; and Cognition, 18, pp. 1155-1172 Seels, Barbara, Berry, Louis H. and Fullerton Karen. 1996. 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