Mass Communication & Mass Media: 8 Examples With Definition & Types

Mass Media and Mass Communication are two important aspects of communication. Mass Communication is a process of creating, editing, imparting, exchanging, and analyzing information through the Mass Media. On the other hand, Mass Media refers to various technologies that are used to reach mass audiences. So, both mass communication and mass media are closely related to each other.

Key Takeaways

• Mass media is the best way to communicate with the general public of a country
• Some common examples of Mass media are newspapers, PV, radio, magazines, social media, etc.
• Through mass communication, you can share information or a particular message to a large audience
• Commercial advertising, social awareness messages, public relations, political campaigning, etc. are very common examples of mass communication

Mass Media

Mass Media is defined as the means to communicate with the general public. Mass media is the source that the general public uses to get their information from.

For example, think of the way you made use of to access this information. You have most likely used the Internet to gain access to this Web page. Your use of accessing this page is considered a source of mass media.

We use mass media sources when listening to music on the Internet, watching TV programs, or watching news programs on TV.

Mass Media Examples

What Would You Tune In To If You Don’t Have The Internet Or TV?

Then, you will have to rely on the oldest form of mass media, which is Radio. Yes, before the advent of the Internet and TV, masses used to tune in to Radio programs for their news sources. You would too if you currently don’t have the Internet or cable connection.

Newspaper is the first form of mass media. It was the original platform for mass media before the evolution of radio, TV, and the Internet.

All these examples above show the importance of mass media and their sources.

Mass media technology is the primary source of communication. By making use of mass media, it is possible to reach the vast majority of the public. Most common platforms for mass media include:

1. Newspapers (Though the digital media is being popular, still – a greater portion of Americans and educated senior people from all over the world love reading Newspapers (Either its a paperback form or in Digital Form through Android/iOS app or Websites).

2. Magazines (Unlike newspapers, people love storing Magazines and Tabloids on their drawing room. Which means, such communication media is there to stay and well- cherished for a long-long time).

3. Television (It has a greater effect based on the Cultivation Theory of Marshall McLuhan – who says that – the consumers believe in what they see on Television). 

4. Radio (Even in wars of some countries, the military officials sent alerts to remote areas via Radio. So, this was a great media for mass communication once upon a time. Still, FM Radios are being popular and people listen to them a lot these days). 

5. The Internet

Types Of Mass Media

Mass Media has evolved significantly over the past few hundred years. It is mainly due to the advent of digital media Before the Internet, TV, and radio, the newspaper was the first form of mass media. For centuries, the public relied on newspapers to provide them with the latest in current events. Then, just before the beginning of the 20th century; radio emerged as the relevant source of mass media.

Before the advent of Television, families would gather around the radio to listen to radio station programs.

Mass Communication

Mass Communication involves a person, an organization, or a group of people sending messages through a channel of communication to a large audience. Channels of communication cover radio, broadcast television, social media, and print media materials.

Mass Communication Definition

Mass Communication is referred to as the channels of communication sending messages to a large group of unknown and mixed people. Mass communication is unlike interpersonal communication. It is because, with mass communication, there are chances of feedback in mass communication.

Mass Communication Examples: Mass Media Communication Channels

There are 8 Mass Communication Examples you can learn from and use for your own purposes. 

1. Journalism that focuses on collecting and publishing news: This kind of study of journalism produces and distributes content that conveys a broader message to the public through newspapers, Televisions, Radio, and smartphones. It complies with Civic Journalism and Citizen Journalism. 

2. Advertising that encourages purchasing behavior: The advertisers or sponsors actually controls the message here about which and what to spread to mass people. 

3. Public relations: They are basically managers who decide which news or content to go to mass media like Papers and TVs right after producing the advertisement or news. 

4. Politics

5. Social Media: Social Media websites like Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn are the mainstream ways (new media) these days to reach out to the mass public of a specific or broader region.

6. Film: These days, Film is not only a form of entertainment; instead they spread or convey a specific message for the society or the country where the films/drama/short films are released. 

7. Books (paperback) or E-Books: Books are widely spread and the ebook is way more advanced stuff to spread a message that people will read carefully and thus such information or message sticks to the people’s mind. 

8. Photography: Theme-based photography always portrays a message in each of their photos. Whether it’s revenge or positive or negative; this visual medium of mass communication is becoming widely popular all over the world. 

What Are The Benefits Of Mass Communication & Mass Media?

Well, if the Mass Media and Communication system were not there; we would be in dark in 2020. People were too confused about what to buy, what to learn about, and where to go. And even, mass communications creates the authenticity of news, contents, and the media. And for the business people, they might have to find other ways to reach to each individual of this world – which somehow seems impossible. So you see, whatever we are talking about right now and how we think about the world and the lifestyle of people from every corner of this world; are actually the results of Mass Communication. 

You Can Also Check: Forms of Communication

Bottom Line In this article, I discussed the most important aspects of mass media and mass communication.

References:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_communication
2. https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-mass-media-definition-types-influence-examples.html

Last Updated on October 1, 2022 by Magalie D.