Entertainment (Media Functions - iv)

It was Charles Wright who added the function of entertainment to Lasswell’s three functions listed above.  

The function of entertainment is achieved through TV, Radio, Internet and new media technologies such as video and audio discs. (Cassettes, tapes and cartridges are things of the past now; they have been replaced by discs, CDs, DVDs). Humorous “Sitcoms” (situation comedies) have earned a permanent place in the Western media; here in India, we have tear-jerking serials, shouting matches between men and women, and physical abuse of women and girls portrayed as normal! Harassment of women has become commonplace in all serials. Does such entertainment offer mental relaxation or mental disturbance? Entertainment and enlightenment are replaced by semi- or soft-porn, sexploitation and mindless violence against the fairer or weaker sex?

Another recent development is the plentifulness of films and filmy entertainment.

The TV has become a “mini-music mansion” in many channels, where talented boys, girls, men and women prove their merit for fabulous prizes – very costly apartments, cars and diamonds --.  Singing competitions last for several weeks. Sponsors indulge in endless ads, the real reason for “reality shows.”!!!

Filmy programmes, full-length movies, abridged films, art films, songs and dances and talent shows fill 90 per cent of TV broadcasting. Film songs occupy 60 per cent of radio broadcasting. Social objectives of TV and radio, once upheld by DD and AIR are now at a discount even in State and National broadcast media, not to mention private channels that have proliferated in recent years. The channels (almost five hundred of them) are all competing for commercial revenue. Half the time or more on TV is now taken up by ads. There is little citizen education through the media.  What little of politics appears on the air is fully devoted to trivial controversies and personality-oriented discussions. The upper, upper middle and even the middle classes have become big votaries of mediated entertainment.

The literature on the origin of TV in India shows that mass communication scholars (both indigenous and foreign) had advanced cogent reasons for investing in nationwide TV infrastructure to promote social and economic development among a technologically and sociologically backward population.  Traditional media also were seen as useful tools in the development of agriculture, industries, avenues of employment, promotion of a scientific spirit among the people, and a national view of things particularly among the rural people.  In practice, however, we find that the big media, with all modern facilities are totally geared to the revival of superstitious practices and the portrayal of dead old social habits, communal and narrowly casteist rites and rituals through serials and cinemas. Secular, scientific and progressive ideas are relegated to the background. 

The big thrust to filmy entertainment, games shows and 24-hour “politicking” celebrated by TV is likely to vitiate the thinking capacity of young minds.  The role of serious political aspect of life in a developing society confronted with serious problems of unemployment, unscientific attitudes and revival of religious superstitions, poverty in many pockets and lack of investments in rural industries is not highlighted through the TV channels but lifestyles in developed rich countries of the world and affluence of auto-based ‘modernity’ spreading in rich pockets of India are presented.  Mediated communication is almost 100 per cent entertainment in modern India ever since the advent of LPG.

Denis McQuail in his Introduction to Mass Communication (SAGE, 1995) speaks of two more functions: Mobilization and Democratic participation.