Mass Communication is a process in which a person, group of people or an organization sends a message through a channel of communication to a large group of anonymous and heterogeneous people and organizations.
Social Media, Television channels, WhatsApp, and other channels of mass communication, including the traditional mass communication means such as newspapers and magazines, etc. are present all around us all the time making us aware of the happenings around the world and at the same time helping us to form opinions about things.
Mass communication can be defined as “public communication transmitted electronically or mechanically.” Mass communication is communicating with the mass for the purpose of disseminating information, for the purpose of forming opinions, to create awareness of different social, ethical and cultural as well as political and economic issues and also to issue advisories of different kinds.
When the communication is with a large audience then it is termed as Mass communication. Mediums like newspapers, magazines, journals, books, audiovisual mediums (radio, TV, and Internet etc.) are used to communicate with the masses. Even musical and theatrical performances, cinema, etc. are forms of mass communication.
Channels of mass communication include broadcast television, radio, social media, print media and the internet etc. The sender of the message is usually a professional communicator that often represents an organization.
Unlike interpersonal communication, feedback for mass communication is usually slow and indirect.
The following are a few types of mass communication:
- Advertising which includes communications attempting to induce purchasing behaviour.
- Journalism such as news.
- Public relations which is communication intended to influence public opinion on a product or an organization.
- Politics eg. campaigning
Disseminate: to spread or give out something, especially news, information, ideas, etc., to a lot of people
Advisory:an official announcement that contains advice, information, or a warning
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