Question from Page 354 of 6th edition
Both the reading passage and the lecture discuss whether the appearance of university professors commenting on latest events around the world is beneficial to the professors, their universities and the public. The former argues that such television appearances are of benefit to all the above-mentioned stakeholders, while the latter doesn’t seem to agree with the notion.
First of all, the passage states that such television programs give the university professor a reputation of authority in their academic fields over a much wider audience including the one on campus along with the spectators of such news programs. However, the professor in the lecture counters this idea by emphasizing that such university professors are in turn not taken seriously by their fellow community, as they are regarded more of entertainers than educators. They are not even invited by other fellow professors for meetings or discussions on any academic matter.
Second, the passage mentions that such programs of university professors increase the reputation of the universities as well, as the audience of such shows get impressed not only by the commentator but also the college they teach in, leading to more donations and applications. On the contrary, the professor in the lecture argues that a lot of time is consumed by such news programs, its preparation, traveling to the studio and even getting ready for the same, which consequentially affects the research work of the professors and even their students.
Third, the passage confidently says that the viewers of such programs learn a lot through this medium, providing them real expertise and insights, while the professor denies such an idea by stating that a television program actually focuses on the title of the program rather than going into depth, hence not really of much of benefit to the public either.