What Is Media?

Media is divided into two categories: print and broadcast. The Internet has quickly become a large player in both arenas, as more people around the world access their daily news, videos, etc. via the web. Broadcast Media refers to television and radio, which appeared on the scene first and significantly, in the middle of the 20th Century.

The Internet has provided a medium through which communication can be carried out smoothly, and for much cheaper than ever before. Social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and MySpace all allow users to communicate on a one-to-one basis. The Internet allows users to share and organize their personal information as well as keeping up with the latest news and events. Social media has provided an unprecedented opportunity for brands to connect directly with their customers. Media players such as television stations, radio stations, music channels, and magazines are all experiencing rapid growth in audience sizes as a result of social media.

Media players such as the internet, television and radio are now experiencing rapid growth in audience sizes as a result of social networking. The explosion in the use of mobile phones and portable media devices such as the iPod and MP3 Players has dramatically affected the media landscape. Mobile communication has been the primary driver behind the recent growth in digital music downloads. As the number of downloads increases, so does the need for media players such as the iPod and the iPhone. These portable devices allow users to listen to music or watch television without having to rely on expensive and/or complex home entertainment systems.

Media consumption is no longer limited to watching television and listening to music either. With the advent of electronic media such as the internet, mobile phones, PDAs and other communication devices, individuals are now capable of communicating with each other in ways that were impossible just several years ago. The increasing availability of broadband services has made high speed internet access almost universal. As a result, individuals are now able to communicate with each other using electronic media such as digital media such as email, instant messaging and text messaging.

The term “media” can be broadened to cover any type of human communication in which the listeners or viewers are involved. Communication, in its broadest sense, cannot occur without human interaction. Media may include any one or combination of these elements: books, music, films, images, video, digital information, spoken word, motion pictures and other visual representations. Within any category of media, there can be subcategories and further divisions based upon their specific content, delivery methods, distribution methods and target audience. Some of the early forms of media included oral speech, images, sounds and written word.

As this discussion suggests, there is an incredible potential for change and improvement in the ways that we communicate. In particular, some changes are evident in the volume of information being produced and shared in today’s society. Creative approaches to content creation and delivery have resulted in the production of enormous amounts of content in a very short period of time. There has been an expansion of the boundaries of traditional media and new mediums such as the Internet and wireless technology. The explosion of new media practices has had profound ramifications on the field of media studies and communication, creating new distinctions and drawing media experts together to discuss and explore these trends.

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