Mass Media

1
Mass Media-

• Its Characteristics Influences

2
Definitions, etc

• Mass communication is the electronic or print
  transmission of messages to the general public.
• Mass media are outlets of communication, such as
  radio, television, film, print, and internet,
  that are designed to reach large audiences.
• Although mass communication is not conducted
  face-to-face, it still is considered a level of
  communication.

3
Uses of Mass Media

• Professional and social organizations use mass
  media to disperse information on a broad scale.
• Advertising purposes
• Alerting citizens about emergencies and disasters
  by police departments, health departments, the
  National Weather Service, and others.

4
Effects of Recent, Widespread Use of Mass Media..

• Remember, radio and TV were only invented within
  the past 100 years, and their widespread use
  became popular even more recently.
• The recent, widespread nature of mass
  communication has prompted citizens to consider
  the quality, content, and influence of media
  messages.
• More information doesnt always mean better
  information.
• Dont believe everything you see on TV/ internet

5
Criticisms of Mass Media--

• They often compete for audiences by trying to be
  first with a breaking story. Examples bloody
  ambulance story, plane crash photographs very
  controversial
• Others compete for your purchasing dollars by
  making sensational but unfounded claims.
  Example infomercials, regular commercials
• Often, sources and claims are not adequately
  confirmed, resulting in errors and sometimes,
  outright falsehoods.

6
The Nature of the World Wide Web

• Anyone can put information on the internet
  without taking responsibility for its truth.
• Unlike books, newspapers, journals, and other
  written forms of publication, there is little
  control over information on the www.
• For these reasons, producers of information and
  consumers in society both have a tremendous
  responsibility when they use the mass
  communication process.

7
Criticisms of Mass Communication

• Celebrity private lives are nonexistant
• Movie musical stars on news in tabloids
• Clinton scandal
• Makes for a Big Brother and Fahrenheit 451
  type society
• Reality shows
• Televisions are everywhere in public places
• The general public is exposed to disturbing and
  appalling material.
• Abu Ghraib scandal
• Hate crimes with graphic images

8
Criticisms, continued.

• Mass media distributes faulty information that
  unfairly shapes public opinion.
• Fox News banner reading Showdown With Saddam
  while covering stories on Al-Quaeda
• Fox News banner reading War on Terror during
  discussions of Afghanistan.
• Soldiers accounts of war events are routinely
  and drastically different than the medias
  versions.
• Other countries debate issues on their news,
  while Americans frequently receive a one-sided
  version.
• American media is acquiring characteristics of
  communist countries media, offering a skewed
  idea of patriotism. Example Chinas
  loudspeakers in public