Contention with Reality TV Show: Should Reality TV Educate as Much as Entertain: Case Study the X-Factor
20 Pages Posted: 7 May 2016
Date Written: March 18, 2016
Abstract
Technological advances coupled with the development of the ICT have led to massive changes in the media sector, especially the TV. Today, media producers develop different shows including drama, fiction, comedy, and reality TV program to satisfy the needs of their audiences. Recently, reality TV has taken the centre stage of most discussions, with stakeholders trying to find out whether these type of shows can be used for both education and entertainment. This article examines this contention using the TV show X-factor as the referencing point. The result of literature review showed that, theoretically, the possibility of utilizing reality shows to educate and entertain exists if an equilibrium is found between these two factors: education and entertainment. However, in practice it is difficult to find a balance between education and entertainment. This can partially be attributed to viewers opinion on what is entertainment and what is education and because TV producers cannot control the cognition and analytical skills of their viewers.
Keywords: Reality TV, Cognitive Development, Piaget
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