When reality TV gets too real (summary)
In the article ''When reality TV gets too real'' Jeremy W. Peters debates about the dark side of reality
TV shows and their frequent ethical pitfalls involving dangerous situations. When we watch reality shows, we are more than often exposed to the bad side of an individual’s reality. In order to increase ratings, we are seeing much more crime committed by the contestants of the TV shows such as drinking and driving, underage drinking, as well as dangerous working conditions for children aged 815 years old. Although risky behaviour seen on TV shows have proved to have consequences in later life for the contestants (suicide, disturbance and trauma), It has not stopped TV producers in showcasing similar dangerous behaviour even after production houses were faced with lawsuits.
Their explanation is that contestants would live such lives regardless of cameras being on, and the law in the USA does not require anyone to step in and try to save someone’s life if they are in danger. It seems as if viewer ratings are their priority rather than the person’s well-being. In attempt for more money and ratings, bad behaviour is rewarded and ultimately defined as “good
TV”.
In ‘When Reality TV Gets Too Real’, it is argued that producers create dangerous or traumatic situations, merely because they are legally allowed to and seek higher ratings. On rare occasions producers have been known to draw the line in order to stop some situations from spiralling out of control; however it generally does not happen. Hence why a lot of shows have been criticized or sued for unethical behaviour towards their participants.
In TV kidney competition was a hoax; the show was based on a woman in process of picking one individual of three in need of a kidney transplant, to donate hers to. In reality, the woman was an actor and there was no