Means of Communication
The media they have so much advantage as disadvantages. One of the main advantages is that they allow you to communicate despite the distance. On the other hand, one of the disadvantages is that they depend largely on technology: if that fails, the media will collapse.
Two means of communication can be distinguished: mass media and News Media. The mass media are those in charge of transmitting information to a large part of the population. They are useful because they keep people up to date with current events. These are newspapers, radio, television, social networks and other Internet-based platforms. On the other hand, personal means of communication are those that allow you to establish relationships between small groups of individuals: family members, friends, colleagues, colleagues, among others.
The advantages of the media
Technology has revolutionized the way the media works. Indeed, a branch of technology is responsible for the development of devices and programs aimed at improving communication and information systems.
Remote communication
The most obvious advantage of the media is that they facilitate remote communication. Thanks to electronic devices (phones, computers, tablets, among others) it is possible to talk in real time with people who are not in the same country.
They are immediate
Before electronic devices existed, remote communication was done by regular mail. There could be a long time between issuing the letter and receiving a reply, which made the communication not particularly effective. However, thanks to advances in communication today, remote interaction can be immediate. There are several types of platforms that make this type of communication possible. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter and applications like Whats App are some examples of these.
Distance study
Previously, distance courses could be taken by correspondence. However, the process could be tedious due to the slowness of the mail. At present, information and communication technologies have favored distance learning. In this way, students can stay at home while learning through various platforms, such as social networks.
Globalization
The media have increased the globalization process. Distance communication has not only made countries closer to each other culturally, but has also allowed the world economy to be unified in some way.
They are cheap
Once they are developed, the means of communication are inexpensive for their users. For example, e-mails and social networks have no additional costs in addition to paying for the internet service. In any case, sending an email from Mexico to China is much cheaper than making a phone call.
They reduce the cultural divide
In addition to enabling the exchange of information quickly and efficiently, the media have helped to eliminate linguistic, cultural and geographical barriers between different nations. For example, these means allow people from different countries and cultures to meet to exchange ideas and learn more about the culture of others. By doing this, you reduce the bias you may have about a company. Advertising the media is a way of promoting services and products. In this sense, they constitute an advantage in the advertising and marketing sector.
Massive dissemination of information
Many mass media are huge, such as radio, television and newspapers. In this sense, they allow to spread information quickly and effectively, reaching a large part of the population.
Peter Beaumont is a senior reporter on the Guardian’s Global Development desk. He has reported extensively from conflict zones including Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East and is the author of The Secret Life of War: Journeys Through Modern Conflict. Email: peter@thehearus.com
