What is a Medium in Communication?

A medium in communication can be defined as a resource used for communicating. The mediums in communication are used to transmit messages from one person to another, and it plays a third-party role in communication. The medium consists of various channels/platforms required for various kinds of communication.

Significance of a Medium in Communication: The medium can perform communication more precisely as it helps filter a message in the required way for the receiver to understand the interpreted message clearly.

Medium in communication: There are several mediums in communication such as – TV, radio, messages, newsletters, magazines, social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, email, etc. These are all different forms of communication, but they all have both advantages and disadvantages.

Search engines are always spontaneous and collaborative problem-solver and provide a wide range of communication mediums. Tools such as Skype, Microsoft Teams, and google meet, etc., allow people to communicate with others like a real-time meet conversation. However, TV and radio rely heavily on entertainment, whereas Twitter and blogs encourage concise texts and include videos, photos, and hyperlinks, which portray many aspects of communication.

The public always demands the best mediums of communication in the present century. Communication has become a daily aspect of our life, and with this, people started to encounter the world in new ways. In a way, media played the role of a catalyst for this evolution. There are many examples of the medium in communication, and it is like a vehicle that makes it possible to make a decision. So, when researching a particular topic, you must consider the medium and its importance.

Table of Contents

1. Newspaper as a Medium of Communication

Newspapers were first invented in the year 1609.
Johann Carolus published the first regular newspaper, and then newspapers brought an evolution to the communication industry.
Newspapers are the most powerful medium of communication.
They can transmission all sorts of news from one place to any other place in the country.
The newspapers are filled with important news of different industries and current national/international affairs.
Newspapers are the cheapest means of communication.

2. TV as a Medium of Communication

Philo Farnsworth, John Logie Baird, KenijiroTakanayagi, and Charles Francis Jenkins invented the first Television.
First, televisions were only black and white; later on, they developed, and we got a colorful display.
TV is the most popular medium of communication.
It is used by a vast population in the whole world.
Television can portray particular information far better than the newspapers.
Television is expensive than newspapers.
TV contains entertainment channels which bring more interest in communication and attract the public towards it.

3. Radio as a Medium of Communication

Radio is a significantly older medium of communication, but still, it is even used now for communication purposes.
Old age peoples are primarily interested in radios as they have their childhood memories connected to them.
In the olden days, radio was a very highly-demanded medium of communication.
People used to hear different types of news such as sports news, entertainment news, political news, financial news, etc. They would also listen to different regional types of music.

4. Social Media Platform as a Medium of Communication

Social media platforms are the most used communication medium in the current era.
The young youth are the most addicted to social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, etc.
Social media platforms provide a wide range of mediums for communication.

5. Evolution of Mass Communication

Back in the olden days, before the invention of the printing press, mass communication was not possible. In 1440, goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg invented the first printing press in Germany. Books were handwritten, and written letters were circulated for communicating until then. Mass communication was evolved after the invention of the printing press. Later on, newspapers were introduced, becoming an innovative aspect of communication.

Moveable type- the first printer also brought an evolution to the communication industry. In earlier forms of communication, people did not use moveable type much, and everything had to be written by hand. But later on, it gained recognition, and the demand for it arose. Now, it is one of the most common communication mediums in today’s world.

As time passed, people began to think more indicatively and needed creativeness, then the media and messages were introduced. Media is a medium that can be of a single form or a combined form. Media can contain relevant images or videos to make the communication more understandable and creative. Messages are only of one form containing just various characters. For instance, a person can communicate through a newspaper by only reading and looking at pictures.

In contrast, while using Television for communication, you can communicate modernly by listening, reading, and watching it. Similarly, a message also can be a combined form of media if we use the latest technologies. For example, messaging apps provide emojis and stickers.

Media and messages play a vital role in communication, and they can help individual communication or mass communication be more straightforward and understandable. Means of communication like writing, images, or videos can always portray communication better.

Difference between media and message: The significant difference between a media and a message is its structure. Media and a message both have different structures and styles for portraying various communications. The media communicates in videos, images, or any other digital platforms, and a message will only be in textual format.

6. How to Choose a Suitable Medium for Communication?

Before deciding on a medium, you should consider the message you want to convey. The medium will not suit the message, while others are more appropriate for different situations. In general, it is essential to match the medium to the message. Similarly, the recipient of the message should also be aware of the importance. So, consider your relationship with the person you want to communicate with, and then choose the right intended medium suitable for them.

With the growth in the communication industry, people started to encounter the world in new ways. And, in a way, media was the catalyst for this evolution. There are many examples of the medium in communication, and it is the vehicle that makes it possible to make a decision. So, when researching a particular topic, you must consider the medium and its importance.

7. What is Communication?

Communication plays a vital role in our day-to-day life, and it is the process of exchanging information, thoughts, ideas, etc., from one person to another. Through communications, human beings can perceive different meanings and better understand life. Communication can be done in written, oral, formal, informal, personal, interpersonal, intro-organizational, interdepartmental, etc.

8. Importance of Communication

Effective communication is required for efficient management and better industrial relations.
Communication helps in educating humans.
Communication can help a person to perceive the world in a better way.
Communication can give us a wide range of information on various topics.

9. Importance of Communication in Human Resource Management

1. The Base for an Activity: Communication is always required before starting an activity, as it can make us understand the perspective of the activity in a better way to do it properly.

2. Makes Planning Easier: Planning can be done quickly if we communicate systematically. Communication can also help us save time for planning, as we will understand and do the proper work properly.

3. Means of Coordination: Communication acts as means of coordination. It can help us coordinate with others in a precise manner and help us build relationships.

4. Assists in Decision-Making: Decision-making becomes more straightforward if we communicate effectively, making us understand the pros and cons while making a decision.

5. Generates Effective Leadership: Good communication skills lead to leadership quality. One can improve leadership quality by improving communication skills.

6. Boosts Motivation: Communication can sometimes boost motivation in different aspects of life. For example, a motivational speaker has excellent communication skills and helps others by motivating them.

10. Types of Communication

There are four types of communication such as:

1. Verbal communication: Verbal communication is the most commonly used communication. In this type of communication, we use oral forms or sign languages to communicate. Verbal communication can be done using various methods like face-to-face communicating, mobiles, TV, etc.
2. Non-verbal communication: Non-verbal communication is done passively by using different means of communication like the tone of voice, gestures, body language, facial expressions, etc. Non-verbal communication acts as a supporter of verbal communication.
3. Written communication: Written communication plays a vital role in our study life. This communication is done through typing, writing, text messages, newsletters, emails, etc. This type of communication is mainly used for business purposes to get the same information without any distortion.
4. Visual communication: Communication that needs visuality is called visual communication, and it is the most exciting type of communication. Graphs, photos, videos, charts are all used in visual communication, and this communication makes us understand any information in the simplest way possible.

11. Mass Communication

The exchange of information on a large scale between a large segment of people is known as mass communication. Many people can be given any information through means of mass communication. Examples of means of mass communications are Television, newspapers, social media platforms, radios, billboards, books, films, magazines, etc.

Mass communication has become a necessity for everyone, as different types of news or information are spread in the country through mediums of mass communication. Mass communication can also help create awareness on a topic among many people.

12. Role of Mass Communication

Mass communication helps educate a large number of people at a time.
We can get the latest news very quickly through mass communication.
Mass communication can sometimes portray a person’s perspective towards life.
It acts as a barrier for coordination between the public.
Mass communication saves time, as we don’t need to explain anything to everyone separately.
Mass communication is also sometimes attractive to the audiences, as it engages a huge public together.
Mass communication helps in decision-making; for example, in political matters, everyone sees the quality and nature of the communication provided by a politician.
Mass communication not only connects us nationally but also connects us globally.
Through mass communication, a country can understand the conditions of another country.
Thus, all types of communication have become a mandatory aspect for everyone to survive in this modern era.