Introduction To Communication Media

INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION MEDIA: AN OVERVIEW
What Does Communication Media Mean?
Communication media refers to the means of delivering and receiving data or information. In
telecommunication, these means are transmission and storage tools or channels for data storage and
transmission. Communication media is also called communication channel.
There are two forms of communication media:
Analog: Includes conventional radio, telephonic and television transmissions
Digital: Computer-mediated communication, computer networking and telegraphy
The most used data communication media include:
1. Wire pairs
2. Coaxial cable
3. Microwave transmission
4. Communication satellites
5. Fiber optics
The communication media acts as a channel for linking various computing devices so that they may
interact with each other. Contemporary communication media facilitate communication and data
exchange among many individuals across long distances via email, teleconferencing, internet forums and
many other forms of communication.
FORMS OF COMMUNICATION MEDIA (Technical)

1. GUIDED MEDIA
-In guided media communication devices are directly connected to each other by using some
physical medium.
Example: Wired Media / Bounded Media
2. UNGUIDED MEDIA
-In Unguided media communication devices are not directly connected to each other by using
physical medium. These devices are connected wirelessly.
Example: Wireless Media / Unbounded Media

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION
Posted By Swati Chandak

On July 2, 2020
The pandemic Covid 19 has only proved the importance of communication in our daily lives. Though we
practiced physical distancing to keep the virus away, but we were able to communicate with our near
and dear ones with the help of technological advancements in communication. Our mobile phones,
internet and social media made it possible for us to stay connected. We got all the updates about the
happenings in the world from the television, newspapers and other online platforms. The FM Radio
channels continued entertaining us. All these are nothing but mediums of communication.
If you have a desire to understand more about how media functions and the world of news, social media
and journalism interests you, then this is the right career choice for you. Allow me to acquaint you with
some of the most basic concepts related to the study of media and communication. You would study
this and much more as a part of your B.A. (Honours) in Media and Communication.
What is Communication?
Communication is the act of transmitting ideas, thoughts, emotions or any other meaningful
information which the sender wants to convey to the receiver. We may communicate with spoken
words, non verbal gestures like hand movements or signs and symbols. We also need a medium or
channel for communicating. You must be familiar with the mediums of mass communication like radio,
newspapers, television, internet which have a great role in our daily lives.
What are the different elements of communication?

One of the earliest models of mass communication, Lasswell model (1948) says that the sender,
message, channel, receiver and the effect are the basic elements of the communication process.
The most basic elements of a communication process are sender, message, channel and receiver. The
sender is the source of the message; the receiver is the person who is receiving the message. The
message is the content or information which the sender is disseminating to the receiver through the
channel. The channel or the medium is what carries the message to the receiver.
Another very important element of the communication process is feedback. The sender needs to get the
feedback from the receiver in order to know whether the receiver has understood the intended
meaning of the message. Also, it helps the sender to understand whether the message has the desired
effect on the receiver.
What is Mass Media?
The media which we use to transfer messages to the masses, is called mass media or in simple words,
the medium of mass communication.
The purpose of communication
So why do we communicate? Communication is the very basic need of human being and with the
development of the civilization; the functions of communication have also expanded. Denis McQuail, a
communication theorist, in his book Mass Communication theory, describes the following functions of
mass communication:
1. Information:
According to him, we get most of the news and information from the mass media, so that is one of the
imperative functions. For instance, during the lockdown, how did you get all the news about the virus
increasing in every part of the world? The sources were newspapers, television and the World Wide
Web. So, we were dependent on the mass media for every bit of information. Almost every television
viewer turned to watch the Prime Minister live to know what he has to say to the nation. Thus, we all
are dependent on mediums of mass communication for receiving information about the world around
us.
Also, advertising is yet another popular medium for letting the society know about the different
products and services which are available in the market. Even during the pandemic, advertisers tried
every possible measure to attract the attention of the consumers. Imagine how the big business would
run into losses, if the consumer would have no information about the goods they are producing! How
would they sell their goods and services?
2. Correlation:
The medium of mass communication also provide interpretation and explanation of the news and
events. The mass media decides what is newsworthy or not.
3. Continuity:
In transmission of the culture, communication plays a big role. It is through communication only, that we
pass on our ideas, opinions, and culture to the next generation. The mass mediums have a great role in
shaping the popular culture. The popular culture is most accepted beliefs and practices in the society.
4. Entertainment:
We all are dependent on mass media to provide us with diversion, relaxation and entertainment. The
mass media has a big role in providing us with relaxation. During the lockdown, the movie theatres were
all closed, thus the audience all moved to OTT platform for watching web series. This led to a boost in
the viewership of web series and the business of the online streaming platforms.
5. Mobilization:
This function of mobilization is to bring the society together and create awareness for a cause. Today,
anyone can use the social media to start a mass media campaign and fight for a cause by gaining the
attention and support of the society.
Media and communication are vibrant fields of study and have a lot of scope in future. According to the
FICCI-EY 2019 report, Indian Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector grew 13.4% over 2017 and
reached INR1.67 trillion (US$23.9 billion) in 2018. It is also expected to cross INR2.35 trillion (US$33.6
billion) by 2021. So, it is a field where a lot of opportunities will be created.
References
Mass Communication theory by Denis McQuail

http://www.ficci.in/ficci-in-news-page.asp?nid=16867
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_culture
https://www.communicationtheory.org/lasswells-model/

Introduction To Communication Media

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Introduction To Communication Media

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Introduction To Communication Media

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION MEDIA: AN OVERVIEW

What Does Communication Media Mean?

There are two forms of communication media:

Analog: Includes conventional radio, telephonic and television transmissions

Digital: Computer-mediated communication, computer networking and telegraphy

The most used data communication media include:

FORMS OF COMMUNICATION MEDIA (Technical)

Example: Wired Media / Bounded Media

Example: Wireless Media / Unbounded Media

Posted By Swati Chandak

What are the different elements of communication?

What is Mass Media?

The purpose of communication

Mass Communication theory by Denis McQuail

You might also like