Basic Things To Learn About Mass Communication

Wednesday, 1 May 2024, 10:15 am

INTRODUCTION

You may already have an idea on what mass communication is. You hear it almost everyday, in school, from Friends, on TV, on radio and other places.

This is to tell you the simple and most important things to know about mass communication, such as;

Definition of mass communication
Types of mass communication
The 4 W’s and 1 H of Mass Communication
Functions of mass communication

Everything that we have been taught in schools today has definitions and explanations, they have importance, They have people involved in that field and particular places to work as a professional in regards to that field of work.

The main topic of enlightenment here is mass communication. To understand what mass communication is we need to look into what communication is.

WHAT IS COMMUNICATION

Communication can simply Be defined as the process of exchanging information from one person or place to another. You can do it orally through speech, through writing or through other methods.

Communication strategies with sending and receiving messages two different means.

There are different types of communication, below are the forms of communication.

FORMS OF COMMUNICATION

Intrapersonal communication
Interpersonal communication
Group communication
Public communication
Mass communication

INTRAPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

This is the type of communication that happens when someone is internally talking to him or herself, or giving internal critical thoughts and imagination within the mind triggered by a particular reason.

It can be based on an internal stimulus or external stimulus, that is something that affects you inside or outside.

INTERNAL STIMULUS – For example when you feel headache you begin to think within yourself;

What drug should I take? How can this pain stop? (Intrapersonal communication)

I’m hungry. What should I cook? Do I have the strength to do that? (Intrapersonal communication)

EXTERNAL STIMULUS – When you witness two people fighting and one is holding a dagger;

Oh my god he is holding a knife, someone will get injured (intrapersonal communication)

Can the other person escape this? (Intrapersonal communication)

This communication basically takes place inside your head and to yourself.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

This is the type of communication that happens between two people, from one person to the other. It creates mutual understanding between them, it creates relationships and helps them to share ideas and thoughts that will be of benefit for both.

This communication happens anytime anywhere is not planned or structured.

This simply deals with sending direct messages and between two people, these messages are structured to achieve a particular goal.

GROUP COMMUNICATION

Good communication is the type of communication that happens when two or more people interrelate, share ideas, information or thoughts in order to achieve the targeted goal.

It is usually organized and planned for learning and achievement.

PUBLIC COMMUNICATION

This refers to the type of communication where one person is in charge of sending or disseminating information to the audience.

It deals with public speaking and focuses on one person who is the sender of information to the audience.

This brings us to the last form of communication (mass communication) which is our main topic of discussion.

WHAT IS MASS COMMUNICATION

Mass communication is the process whereby information is being received, created , analysed and sent to a large number of people through the mass media. (Newspaper, television, radio and even social media)

Communication deals with thorough research and factual informations. It is very broad on its own and explains not only how informations are being sent but the medium through which informations are sent.

BELOW ARE THE BASIC MEDIUMS THROUGH WHICH MASS COMMUNICATION IS BEEN PRACTICED

Print Media
Electronic Media
Social media

PRINT MEDIA

This simply refers to the type of Media that is used to transmit or disseminate information to large number of people through;

Newspaper
Journal
Books
Magazine
Poster
Flyer
Coupon
Adverts on billboards and so many others.

Print Media deals with using written documents or materials to pass out information.

ELECTRONIC MEDIA

This is the type of Media that is used to disseminate information through the use of electronic devices such as;

Television
Radio
Electric billboard
Smartphones

Electronic Media basically deals with electric power, batteries, signals and networks to disseminate information.

SOCIAL MEDIA

In this type of Media information is being transmitted or disseminated through the following;

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
YouTube
Podcasts
Blogs or websites
Instagram and so many others.

It basically deals with transmitting information online, you need to be always online to get the latest updates.

FACTS ON MASS COMMUNICATION

Mass communication is a course that builds or trains journalists, reporters, TV directors and producers in order to play vital roles in this world of communication we live in.

In the field of journalism there are basic things a journalist must know and must apply in mass communication, this brings us the the 4 W’s and 1 H of Mass Communication.

The 4 W’s and 1 H in Mass Communication are basic things every mass communicator and reporter must know in times of reporting an event or incident.

4 W’s AND 1 H

The 4 W’s and 1 H simply refers to the following;

W – When?
W – Where?
W – Who?
W – Why?
H – How?

Above are the basic questions a reporter or journalist is supposed to ask in times of getting full information of an incidence.

Example:

Someone stabbed a little boy with a knife in the chest…

In order to get facts to disseminate a factual information, a journalist or reporter is supposed to ask;

4 W’s And 1 H

WHEN did this happen?
WHERE did it happen?
WHO did it happen to or WHO is involved?
WHY did it happen?
HOW did it happen?

These are the basic questions a journalist or a reporters should always remember to ask, It is one of the most important things in mass communication.