Changes to Media and Society
Media are basically the communication tools or resources utilized to transfer and store data or information. The word refers to varied components of the global mass media communications sector, including broadcast media, print media, television, music, films, photographic, publishing, video, electronic media, and marketing. It is often confused with the term “public relations” because it can be used for promotional purposes as well. In the modern world, media are very important to any medium-sized enterprises wishing to reach out to its audience and create a brand name for itself.
The media can be categorized into the print media and broadcast media. Print media include the daily newspaper, periodicals, magazines, and other publications in the print industry. The daily newspaper is considered as the “voices of society” because most people who read the newspapers every day or on some occasion do not even come across the news. Print media also includes broadcasts such as local radio and television stations, sports channels, and news broadcasts. The role of print media is to inform the public and provide them the means to get the information from the source, either through newspapers, radios, television, or the internet.
On the other hand, broadcast media are meant to convey information to the audience right away. Audiences may hear the broadcasted words through headphones or a television screen, or they may get it on the radio or through a PVR (portable digital audio recorder). These days, PVRs (digital video recorder) have been made available that allow people to watch their favorite shows whenever they want. Broadcast media can also refer to different types of radio and television programs broadcast by different types of media entities. Some examples are commercial radio stations, community stations, government agencies, and the likes.
The term media refers to any type of transmission of information through any medium that provides an ability for the audience to get the information right away and at a faster speed. This can include audio and video as well as cable and satellite television. Although there has been a lot of talk about changing the definition of media and referring to different forms of communication as such, most agree that it is good to have some form of media in today’s society since many people rely heavily on these types of sources to get the news and information they need.
In addition to print media and broadcast media, there are also several types of digital and Internet media that provide news sources. It is hard to keep up with all the websites that have appeared over the last several years and have made a significant impact on the way we live our lives. While some are useful and others are not, most newspapers, magazines, and even television stations have web sites. Some of these web sites have emerged to become the latest wave of the online media scene. Most popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn have come to be known as the “elephant in the room” and have challenged traditional media. As more people turn to these modern methods for getting the news and information they need, they have created a new set of standards that have evolved that challenge the power of traditional media sources.
With newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and Internet sources, we are now experiencing changes that will have a profound effect on the way we communicate with one another and with our friends and families. Many people are now relying on various types of sources that have enabled them to get the information directly from sources other than traditional media. While there are still certain traditional ways to obtain news and information, there are several sources that have made the leap into the digital age.