The History Of Mass Communication

The Roaring Twenties was recognized as a Golden Age for its’ mass culture that shaped the new beliefs of those across the United States during the 1920s. This period was known for its’ thriving economy and political changes. New forms of leisure appeared because everyone had a fair amount of spare cash caused by the consumer society developing. Radios were bought, cinemas were opened, newspapers and magazines were sold; all sorts of mass media were methods of communication that emerged during this glorious era. They were not only tools of amusement, but also had the effect of spreading popular culture.

One hundred years ago nobody heard about the news or current events from Facebook or the newest tweet. Until fairly recently the most up to date news had to be heard through the grapevine or read in a newspaper. Since the creation of the internet and the mass media that comes with it, information can now be spread all the way across the world in the time it takes to hit the enter button on a computer or phone and upload it to the internet. Some people think that this is a bad thing because so many things that are uploaded can be either false information or simply information that is misleading and could teach individuals the wrong thing. However, if mass media is used in the right way it can be beneficial to the accessibility of valuable information,

A first look at Communication Theory. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies. Introduction To the study Of Society Journal (1)

Over the years, mass communication has been defined in several ways. While some view it as a process, others perceive it as a skill. But apart from these two classifications, I particularly view mass communication as a tool since it is an essential device that can be used in one’s everyday life. It is an instrument all humans can make use of in delivering their intended messages to their family, friends and even to strangers. Charles Berger and Richard Calabrese suggested the same perception as they proposed their theory called the Uncertainty Reduction Theory.

Here technology comes handy. It not only makes information more accessible but also eases the knowledge sharing and generation without regard to time and geographical boundaries Technology is not only transforming the way we live but also the way we behave, how we interpret ourselves as a person, friend, group member, employee and citizen. For example, people today are trying to find solutions to difficult questions in life through websites like qoura by answers from other people who come form variety of backgrounds from all over the world.

Media serves as communication channels through which news, entertainment or messages can be dispersed. Therefore, media serves as a good transport for prejudice and discrimination, because it is by media that the two concepts became popular. In this assignment will be critically discussing the following: Firstly, definitions of concepts like media, prejudice and discrimination. Secondly, incidents that happened over the years, that went viral over the media concerning the two concepts. Lastly, ways to reduce prejudice and discrimination.

Mass media play a very significant and determinant role in the contemporary world, by broadcasting and communicating information in fast pace and at the same time entertaining vast audiences. Mass media have a tremendous impact on the structure and history of our society due to the fact that they can influence and shape public opinion, determine political agendas, affect socialization and create a relationship between people and government. They consist of television, press, internet, radio and books and they became one of the main sources of popular culture in the modern capitalist society. Media’s role, however, is not only to offer news and entertainment but also to transfer and cultivate a variety of social stereotypes, beliefs and values of the society in order to reproduce the order and the already existing formation of social life. In this paper, I shall examine the notion, the types and some important theories on stereotypes as well as their dependable relation with media.

In this advance era, mass media plays a significant role towards all of us and we can truly admit that mass media is one of the basic essenssial that used by everyone in their daily life. Generally, mass media is a print and electronic means of communication that spreads messages to the audiences and carries out information to the people in the society. Mass media can be divided into two categories, which is the print media include like newspaper, magazines, and books. Another mass media is the electronic media include like radio, television, and internet which is used by most of the people nowadays. Media is one of the most influential aspects of our lives.

“Media has become as necessary as food and clothing. Media is a mirror of the modern society; in fact, it is the media which forms our lives. The principle of the media is to let people know about modern, new relationships and to tell about the most modern discussion and fashion. The media still very backward behind other economic sectors because international communication is closely bound up with culture, language and tradition” (Karachi, M.(n.d). Media has many important types we already use in our daily life such as the internet and TV also radio and print media like newspaper and magazine.

Uses & Gratifications and the Reality Television context. Blumler and Katz’s ‘Uses and Gratification theory’ (1974) suggests that media users play an active role in choosing and using the media. This theory shifted the focus from what media do to the people to what people do with the media, thus it’s an audience centric theory. It examines the nature of audience involvement and gratification obtained from viewing the television.

Communication Technology Technology has changed our lifestyle and is continuing to alter it. Every aspect of our life has been somehow touched by technology. However, technology has made a significant impact on the way we communicate and new communication technologies are continuously improving and being used in everyday life. It has become an essential part of most our lives because we, as a human species, have always had this deep desire to communicate, and to communicate over distance. The obstruction of connecting two regions has drastically decreased due to the fact that we now have mobile phones, Internet, and social media to make life easier.

The world we live in today is predominately changing with the advancement of digital communication in the daily aspects of our life. The rapid growth and evolution of digital communication, has resulted in it now becoming the backbone of the way we interact with other people. Beginning from simple 160-character SMS messages to text’s influence on the internet including Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and Instagram and then introduced on our mobile phones with BBM and whatsapp; digital communication has become a part of our spoken discourse. Digital communication in every aspect has impacted our lives as it helps jobs and businesses communicate a lot faster through e-mail, multimedia and texting.

In the 1940s, televisions could only be found in a few thousands homes across the United States, and today almost all homes have at least one television. These devices are used for playing games with a gaming console, watching a favourite TV show and as a computer monitor for work and pleasure. Without doubt television is the most effective medium to deliver information to large numbers of people very quickly. News in one part of the world can be seen within minutes or even seconds in any other part of the world.

Over the years, technologies have been gradually advancing and have played an important role in today’s fast growing societies. It has become a major factor in the society as people are depending on it to accomplish specific tasks. For example, schools are using these technologies as an alternative way of teaching students. Business industries are using it to increase business efficiencies. Among all of the technologies, the one that has the most important aspect in people’s lives is the mass media. In general, the mass media simply means medium that gives out information.

Major developments in the evolution of mass media during the last century It has come to our attention that media is changing since its origin. In mid last century newspaper and magazine were the principle source of mass communications. Later the radio provided another source to achieve the majority. Individuals frequently tuned in to get records of what is happening in the world, getting to know the current trends.