Gre analytical Writing issue essay Topic 101

GRE Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Topic - 181 
"In many countries it is now possible to turn on the television and view government at work. 
Watching these proceedings can help people understand the issues that affect their lives. The 
more kinds of government proceedings-trials, debates, meetings, etc-that are televised, the more 
society will benefit." 
GRE AWA Analytical Writing ISSUE Essay Sample 
Solution - 181 
In a democratic country, every citizen has a right to information. The government is answerable 
to its people who form the basis of the administration. I agree that when government proceedings 
are televised it makes people understand the issues that the government is dealing with. At the 
same time I disagree with the part of the statement, which says that the more the kinds of 
proceedings that are televised, the better it is for the society. In the following paragraphs I would 
like to discuss the points that make me agree only partially with the given statement. 
There are many democratic countries today that telecast the live proceedings of their 
governments. A citizen plays a very important role in a democratic government for which he 
must have information about the leaders. The first role of a citizen is that of a voter. Since he has 
to cast his vote in favor of the leader who according to him is most responsible and competent, 
he can do this only by a better understanding of the way these leaders work. With the telecast of 
the proceedings, the citizens come to know how the leaders chosen by them are running the 
government. It is only then that people can understand their leaders better. It makes them the 
supporter of the leader who is most efficient and their precious votes help the leader to get 
elected in the elections. 
The second important role played by the citizens is that of a critic. It is in the hands of the citizen 
to change the government if they are not satisfied with its work. With such live telecasts of 
parliamentary activity citizens can understand the working of the government clearly. It helps 
them to form their opinions and make a judgment about their leaders. They get an idea of who 
can work better as an administrator. Therefore, if the government is not doing justice to its 
office, the citizens can observe this by the televised programs and change the government when 
required. 
The televised programs are definitely helpful for the citizens, but at the same time I maintain that 
too much telecast of the proceedings can harm, rather than benefit the society. The first reason 
that makes me hold this view is that there could be many issues in the proceedings that need 
secrecy, and if exposed to the public, would create serious security concerns. Discussions related 
to the defense mechanism, contrasting views regarding religion, caste etc., measures to deal with 
national and international terrorism etc. need to be discussed in secrecy. For example, there are 
chances of a communal riot to break out if the government's debates regarding sensitive religious 
or communal issues are telecasted. Similarly, if the parliamentary meetings over the issue of 

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security and defense measures are televised, it is likely to be misused by anti social elements, 
which can pose a threat to the country. 
The second reason for my disagreement with this subject is that the live telecast of more and 
more government proceedings exposes the behavior of the parliamentarians. There are many 
debates, conversations and discussions held in such proceedings, which sometimes lead to 
quarrels. It is agreeable that the issues dealt by the government are not easy to handle and every 
leader can have his personal opinion. However, if quarrels and violence by these leaders is 
televised, it puts a wrong impression on the citizens. They could start losing confidence in the 
government and would probably stop believing in the otherwise good leaders. 
In the end I would like to reassure my stand that telecasting government proceedings surely helps 
the people in understanding their government better. However, if this is taken to an extent, and 
more of these proceedings begin to be televised, it can harm the society to a great extent. 

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