Mass Communication-

Concept
• Littlejohn and Foss define mass communication as 
• “the process whereby media organizations produce and transmit
messages to large publics and the process by which those messages
are sought, used, understood, and influenced by audience” (333).

• McQuail states that mass communication is, “only one of the

processes of communication operating at the society-wide level,
readily identified by its institutional characteristics” (7).
• Mass communication is the public transfer of messages through
media or technology-driven channels to a large number of recipients
from an entity, usually involving some type of cost or fee (advertising)
for the user.
• “The sender often is a person in some large media organization, the
messages are public, and the audience tends to be large and varied”
(Berger 121).
• However, with the advent of outlets like YouTube, Instagram,
Facebook, and text messaging, these definitions do not account for
the increased opportunities individuals now have to send messages to
large audiences through mediated channels.
• There are mainly four types of Mass Communication:
• Print Media: Newspapers, Magazines, Books and Novels, Comics,
Journals and Publications
• Broadcast Media: Films, Television, Radio
• Outdoor and Transit Media: Billboards, boardings, posters, banners
• Digital Media/New Media: Social media, video platforms, websites,
mobile apps, e-books, podcasts, online radio
Traditional/Print Media
• Amongst the conventional forms and types of Mass Communication,
the print media comprises of those platforms that facilitate
communication mainly through written communication such as
newspapers, books, journals, etc.
• In earlier times when cinema and TV hadn’t emerged, print media
forms were utilised to publish the latest news and happenings as well
as for entertainment purposes.
• The most crucial change brought to print media is that it has
advanced towards online platforms as well since many newspapers
have established a strong online presence to keep people updated
about the latest happenings across the globe
Broadcast Media
• Broadcast Media mainly refers to the electronic broadcast platforms
that are amongst the pivotal types of mass communication.
• Whether through radio, films or TV shows, this form of mass media
carries out the distribution of news, information and entertainment
through audio and visuals by implementing electronic broadcasting
platforms.

• Below we have detailed the major three kinds of broadcast media, i.e.
Radio, Film and Television.
Radio
• Radio is one of the oldest types of Mass Communication. It is a
medium through which electromagnetic signals are delivered over
long distances. Being a traditional form of Mass Media, radio was
earlier used to make news announcements, telecast important events
and then it also started broadcasting music as well as entertaining
conversational programs. With the digital age, online radio channels
have emerged which made it more accessible than FMs that worked
on certain frequencies and network connections.
Film and Television
• Film and Television are the major sources of entertainment to more
than 90% of the world’s total population. It is one of the most popular
types of Mass Communication which include both audio-visual
aspects of communication.
• Moreover, the TV and Film industry is filled with massive career
opportunities whether you are a creative writer or an imaginative
visualizer. 
• Film and Television are the major sources of entertainment to more
than 90% of the world’s total population. It is one of the most popular
types of Mass Communication which include both audio-visual
aspects of communication.
Outdoor & Transit Media
• One of the underrated yet potential types of Mass Communication,
Outdoor media corresponds to the dissemination of information as
well as advertising through our outer environments such as
billboards, posters, boardings, banners, etc.
• This form is utilised to advertise products or services as well as spread
social information and awareness to the general public.
• Quite similar to the outdoor media, Transit Media is more inclined
towards advertising through posters, banners, signs and notices in
means of transportations such as Buses, Metro, Rail, amongst others.
Digital/New Media

• Digital Media is one of the recent and popular types of Mass

Communication and has become an influential form of media in the
present time.

• Also referred to as new media, it combines all the attributes of

interactive communication as the internet provides quick and easily
accessible information in a variety of formats.
• It encompasses wide-ranging mediums such as emails, podcasts,
blogs, websites, videos, social media, amongst others.
• Be it the digital applications in your smartphone or your favourite
video game to play online, digital media has encompassed a larger
part of our daily activities.

• A career in digital marketing and social media marketing is amongst

the most trending ones in the present times as every organisations to
get target audience.
Examples of Types of Mass
Communication
• Movies and Films
Movies or films are not just a mode of entertainment nowadays, it is also a way of
connecting with the masses on a large scale. Movies with social messages are being
made these days to educate and inform the masses as well. Films or movies are
released throughout the country and impact people at a mass scale.
• Social Media
These days social media websites are a way to connect with the masses. It does not
matter which part of the world you are in but you can connect or stay in touch with
other people located in an altogether different part. Some examples of social media
are YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
• Books
Books whether paperback or an ebook is another important source and example of
mass communication. It has a mass outreach and provides in-depth knowledge and
information about many topics.
• Advertising
The companies who hire people behind advertising and how it has to be
presented in front of the masses depict certain advertisements in such a way
that they encourage purchasing. 
• Journalism
Journalism such as Print Journalism or Digital Journalism collect relevant
information about events which are taking place all over the country and the
world and present them to the masses for consumption. It is one of the most
popular ways of mass communication since it reaches the masses at a large
scale.
• Photography
Photography is one of the most influential and popular means of mass
communication. It is a visual-based medium of mass communication and
portrays a deep message. With photographs, the masses get a real image of
events which are happening and feel more connected with the events of the
outside world.
Functions of Mass Communication
• Information: The first and foremost role of mass communication is
disperse and disseminate information which is correct, unbiased and
from around the world.
• As social media and online forms of mass communication have
emerged, it has become difficult to identify which information is correct
or not thus, the digital era is filled with information but its authenticity
is something that is continuously being questioned.
• Rapid and Fast Communication: Mass communication also plays a
pivotal role in ensuring a rapid and faster communication amongst the
masses.
• From digital media to broadcast media, every communication medium
has its own form of communication and messages to convey.
• Entertainment: The types of communication also provide
entertainment and infotainment to the masses in the form of music,
videos, TV, radio, amongst others.
• Surveillance: Since it is referred to as the watchdog of a democracy,
Mass Communication also ensures surveillance in a society as it
informs us about the happenings from around the world and keeps us
aware of the local, national and international events.