Concept, functions, types of media and their characteristics

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:41

Now the entire population of our planet devotes quite a lot of time to following the news. After all, to be aware of everything means to be an advanced person. But does everyone have an idea of what the media is?

Media concept

The media are the means by which information is disseminated these days. They are characterized by several properties:

• Directional impact on the masses.
• Clarity in understanding.
• The isolation of the nature of dissemination, as well as the production of information.
• The frequency needed to build trust and recognition from a certain group of people.

Generalized media classification

The media are divided into different categories according to certain characteristics, the number of which is not strictly fixed. However, Russian legislation singles out the main ones in this way: types, regions involved, as well as types and functions of the media.

Division by type is as follows:

• Promotional.
• Glossy.
• Socio-political.
• Infotainment.
• Business and others.

Regions,the media involved influence the area of broadcasting. Such media include Moscow, foreign, regional, etc.

There is also such a thing as "types of media". It is characterized by the way of conveying information to a specific audience. In our time, the world uses such types of media as:

• Periodical publications (various magazines, brochures, leaflets, newspapers and others).
• TV and radio.
• Special media.
• And also online resources.

General media characteristics

Often for many, even the most commonly used types of media and their characteristics remain a mystery. Therefore, let's look into this question, which is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.

First of all, we will talk about the periodicals. They are called only published at least once a year, having the same name, as well as a specific number of the publication.

Due to the extensive development of this method of disseminating information, it has also received a more detailed division.

Types of print media include well-known ones such as:

• Journals - a periodical containing various articles on pressing political, public, scientific, business and other issues.
• Newspapers are a periodical that offers up-to-date but quickly outdated information, comes out at short intervals and has a variety of content.
• Almanacs - collections specializing in the publication of literary and popular scienceworks.
• Print media types also contain other categories of publications less known to the masses.

Other media categories are characterized as follows:

• Television programs are a set of audiovisual messages and programs broadcast by a company in the form of a signal of a certain frequency spectrum. Permanent title and occasional airing are required.
• Radio programs are complexes of audio messages broadcast in the form of a certain electromagnetic field, like TV programs. A permanent title and release frequency are also required.
• Special media are those publications for which there are specific rules for registration and dissemination of information established by law. These include erotic publications that somehow exploit interest in sex.

Media advertising

Nowadays, advertising of goods is gaining more and more popularity, making it much easier to find buyers of goods and services. Various types of advertisements also continue to appear. There are many in the media, so let's look at them.

Advertising in print media. The main advantage: one-time payment - indefinite storage. The validity of ads in such publications is unlimited. Therefore, the press rarely publishes such current information as news about promotions and discount programs, but general information about companies in general is posted.

Radio advertising. Often used to attract the attention of a specific target audience: motorists, youth,pensioners, etc. The advantage is an unobtrusive offer of their goods and services, as well as information about promotions.

TV advertising. Due to the high cost of conducting an advertising campaign on television, a detailed monitoring of the entire target group is carried out in order to avoid unnecessary costs.

Internet advertising. It has a large audience coverage regardless of its age and seems to be quite effective. Often, customers use the ability to quickly transfer information about a good offer. Most often, this advantage is manifested in advertising on social networks and banners.

Media functions

Now, having an understanding of all aspects of the media, you do not know only about their purpose. Eliminating this area, we will understand the main functions of the media. They are:

• Informational: the essence is to notify the target audience in questions and events of various types.
• Evaluation-commentary: facts commented and evaluated by experts are reported.
• Informative-educational: used to replenish the knowledge base of the target audience.
• Manipulatory: influence on the mind and subconscious of people in various issues (most often in politics).