| Hardly anybody is unaware of the term 'mass media'. Everyday we use the media sources to learn the latest home and foreign news, find necessary information, to entertain or to listen to the weather forecast. The importance of mass media these days is huge. The media play a great role in shaping and reflecting public opinion, bringing people together. The media strongly impact society, as it can reach a wider audience. They comprise four main sources: TV, press, radio and the Web. Each has its own features and functions.
Daily millions of glossy magazines and papers are published worldwide. The list of them seems unlimited. There are different international and local papers, dailies and weeklies, quality papers that cater for the better educated readers and tabloids that sell to a far larger readership. Some newspapers cover mostly politics, finance and commerce; while others concentrate on 'human interest stories'.
Since the advent of radio, more people have got access to the latest information. Radio is preferable when you are at work and require information or have to focus your attention on something else. Thus, we usually turn on the radio when driving a car to listen to the news bulletin and live reports. Listeners are especially keen on call-in talk-shows and music charts.
It has been estimated that most people regard television as their principal source of news. Our daily life is often planned according to the program schedule. We have breakfast, with TV being on. We switch it on to view our favorite series and chat-shows, to view newly released films, music videos and news programs.
While TV broadcasts are scheduled, the Internet allows us to have access to information and forms of amusement 24/7. The Internet contains large databanks of information in every language. It is known for the selection of opinions presented, huge collections of tracks and movies, electronic encyclopedias designed to ease the search on the Internet, e-books and sites of newspapers and magazines.
Life without the media would be boring and limited. Yet, 'addiction' to some sources of entertainment, such as viewing TV and browsing on the Internet for hours, can badly influence health and interpersonal interaction. |
