Role of Mass Media

There’s no denying that the mass media has long been a source of both controversy and debate throughout the modern world, but one thing most people can agree on is that the media has played an important role in many historical events and situations. From serving as sources of entertainment to providing educational opportunities, social outlets, and more, there’s little doubt that our society would look very different without the mass media as we know it today. Here are some of the ways mass media has influenced society throughout history and still continues to do so today.

Uses of mass media

Media technologies used to spread information to a large audience are referred to as mainstream media. The primary purpose of mass media is to disseminate numerous concepts via radio, the web, periodicals, tabloids, broadcast, films, and marketing.

  • To provide accurate and timely information
  • To act as a watchdog over those who have power
  • To entertain and inspire
  • To persuade and motivate
  • And to bring people together.
  •  We all deserve the right to freedom of expression
  •  Mass Media should be held accountable for their words, deeds, or lack thereof.
  •  Not only do they need to tell the truth, but they also need to tell it well with precision, accuracy, fairness and completeness. 
  • Journalism is under attack.  
  • In this day and age where fake news is rife, there needs to be more accountability from our journalists so that we can regain trust in them.

The mass media should not be a platform for hatred, bullying, or name-calling. It should not be a place where people are judged for their looks, intelligence, or talents. The mass media should not be a tool to manipulate people’s emotions or force them to believe certain things. Mass media is meant to show what is happening in the world and give viewers an insight into different cultures, societies, and peoples. There are many ways that this can be done without promoting negative stereotypes or misinforming the public about important issues.

Importance of mass media

The mass media play a vital role in the maintenance of a democratic society. They provide citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions about their government and their leaders. The media also serves as a watchdog, holding the powerful accountable and exposing corruption and abuse of power. There are numerous examples of journalists risking everything for the sake of bringing crucial news to light, most notably during times of war or conflict. In countries without an independent press or strong civil society groups, it is often only through the reporting of foreign journalists that people learn what is happening inside their own country.

The media has often been criticized for failing to live up to these standards. While citizens continue to depend on mainstream newspapers, television and radio stations, social media and other new platforms, they increasingly get their news through a variety of sources and from an ever-widening array of viewpoints. We are also seeing more and more fake news—false information that is presented as fact. This makes it increasingly difficult for people to discern what is true or false.

Characteristics of mass media

  • a large target audience might find it appealing.
  • It conveys a message to the people.
  • There is a separation between individuals who acquire information and its source.
  • It can be broadcast via a variety of media, including TV, the internet, radio, and newspapers.
  • The audience for it is diverse.
  • Television, radio, and print media cannot provide comment on news or information that has been distributed.

Print media

In the past, print media was the primary way that people got their news. Newspapers were delivered to homes, and people would read them over breakfast or on their commute to work. This is no longer the case, as more and more people get their news from online sources. However, print media is still an important part of society. It provides a way for people to connect with their local community and to stay informed about what is happening in the world.

There are two main types of print media: newspapers and magazines. Newspapers are typically published on a daily basis, although there are some weeklies as well. Magazines, on the other hand, come out weekly or monthly and focus on a particular topic (e.g., parenting or automotive) or genre (e.g., science fiction). They can be informative, entertaining, or both. Both newspapers and magazines have experienced changes in content distribution due to the rise of the internet and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Electronic media

In the past, people relied on print media, such as newspapers and magazines, to learn about current events and find out about new products. Today, people rely on electronic media, such as television and the Internet, to get their news and information. While electronic media has many advantages, it also has some disadvantages.

However, like print media, electronic media can also be inaccurate and unreliable. This can lead to a lot of confusion for people who aren’t sure what to believe. One solution is for citizens to learn how to recognize good information from bad information so they can make informed decisions about their lives.

But with all the misinformation available online and on TV, this may not always be possible. And while electronic media has many advantages, it also has some disadvantages. One disadvantage is that like print media, electronic media can also be inaccurate and unreliable. Another disadvantage is that since electronic media reaches more people than ever before, including those without access to education or medical care, there are more ways for governments or companies to manipulate public opinion through advertising or broadcast messages. 

The reach of social media networks like Facebook and Twitter is another advantage and disadvantage. On one hand, social media provides an easy way for anyone to share information quickly with friends or family. On the other hand, we don’t know who our friends really are on these networks, which means we’re sharing private information publicly. The use of social media by governments and corporations creates opportunities for both censorship and propaganda campaigns.