MASS COMMUNICATION

INTRODUCTION OF THE SUBJECT

WHAT IS MASS COMMUNICATION

The term Mass is denoted as a great/large volume, range and extent (of people and production) and reception of messages. Communication is defined by Dental Dictionary as the technique of conveying thoughts or ideas between two people or groups of people. It is a term used to denote a section of the media specifically envisioned and designed to reach a very large audience such as the population of a nation state.

CHARACTERISTICS
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It comprises both technical and institutional methods of production and distribution. It involves the commoditization of symbolic forms as the production of materials relies on its ability to Manufacture and sell large quantities of the work. It is the separate contexts between the production and reception of information. It is in the reach of those far removed in time and space in comparison to the producers. It involves information distribution.

TYPES

Radio Television Cinema Internet Newspapers Magazines Journal Other Print Media (like pamphlets, brochures and posters) and Outdoor Media (which includes bill boards, signs, flying billboards, skywriting and blimps).

SCOPE
Mass communication is an area off institutionalized in various names like: Communication studies Communication science Communication arts Media studies Speech communication Media ecology study that is

Mass communication is a discipline that tells us about the way information interpreted by the audience and how do they take political, social, economic and cultural view in their context.

MODES OF COMMUNICATION

Language; Gestures, signs and signals; Images and representations/symbolic structures; Unconscious dimension/ideology; Possibility of miscommunication/ denotative fallacy.

COMMUNICATION PROCESS

WORKING OF PROCESS
An information source, which produces a message. A transmitter, which encodes the message into signals A channel, to which signals are adapted for transmission A receiver, which 'decodes' (reconstructs) the message from the signal. A destination, where the message arrives.

LEVELS OF PROBLEMS IN THE ANALYSIS OF COMMUNICATION

The technical problem: how accurately can the message be transmitted? The semantic problem: how precisely is the meaning 'conveyed'?

The effectiveness problem: how effectively does the received meaning affect behavior?

EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNICATION:

Related to timing Related to choice of channel

Related to message structure

Related to delivery style Related to mode

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
a. b. c. d.

Interpersonal communication; Mediated communication;

Mass communication Verbal Communication Non-Verbal Communication Written Communication Oral Communication

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Interpersonal communication involve individuals interacting with many people within a society. It helps us to understand how and why people behave and communicate in different ways to construct a social reality. This can include all aspects of communication such as listening, persuading, asserting, nonverbal communication, and more. Overall, interpersonal communication can be conducted using both direct and indirect mediums of communication such as face-to-face interaction, as well as computer-mediatedcommunication

MEDIATED COMMUNICATION
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Computer mediated communication (CMC) is defined as any communicative transaction that occurs through the use of two or more networked computers. While the term has traditionally referred to those communications that occur via computer-mediated formats (e.g., instant messages, e-mails, chat rooms), it has also been applied to other forms of text-based interaction such as text messaging. Many recent studies involve Internet-based social networkingsupported by social software

MASS COMMUNICATION INCLUDES:

Verbal Communication which includes sounds, words, language and speaking. Speaking is an effective way of communicating and is again classified into two types viz. interpersonal communication and public speaking. Good verbal communication is an inseparable part of business communication too. Public speaking is another verbal communication in which you have to address a group of people. In this, the speech must be prepared according to the type of audience you are going to face. The content should be authentic and you must have enough information on the topic you have chosen for public speaking.

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

a. b. c. d. e.

It involves physical ways of communication, like, tone of the voice, touch, smell and body motion. Creative and aesthetic non-verbal communication includes singing, music and dancing. Important non-verbal cues:Eye Gaze Facial Expression Posture Gestures Haptics (shaking hands, holding hands, kissing on lips, cheeks, hand)

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

Written communication is writing the words which you want to communicate. Good written communication is essential for business purposes. This is practiced in many different languages. E-mails, reports, articles and memos are some of the ways of using written communication in business. This can be edited and amended many times before it is communicated to the second party to whom the communication is intended. Mobile SMS is the informal written communication.

VISUAL COMMUNICATION

The last type of communication out of the four types of communication, is the visual communication. Visual communication is visual display of information, like, topography, photography, signs, symbols and designs.

Television and video clips are the electronic form of visual communication.

COMMUNICATION DISTINCTIONS
Formal/Informal Official/unofficial information exchange Vertical/horizontal Superior-subordinate/peers Personal/impersonal Situation of mutual influence/exchange without mutual influence Instrumental/expressive Necessary for job/non job information transmission

THE STUDY OF MASS COMMUNICATION

There are three areas of specialty within the Mass Communication They are: Advertising and Public Relations Journalism Radio and Television

The program is designed to give you a strong foundation in the fundamentals of media communication that will be widely applicable.

CAREERS IN MASS COMMUNICATION

Advertising In a career in advertising, one will be involved in research pertaining to developing advertising strategies, how advertising campaigns are produced, and how marketing plays into advertising. Careers in advertising include positions such as an advertising or marketing specialist, copy writer, media planner, media buyer, creative director, and media sales representative. Advertising Market Research Analysts

There are many careers relating to radiotelevision/broadcasting/electronic media that include positions as a broadcasting station manager, director of broadcasting, film editor, news director, news writer, technical director, media buyer, actor, announcer, disc jockey, news anchor, public relations manager, comedy writer, casting director, producer, talk show host etc. Broadcast News Analysts Editing Creative Directing Producing

RADIO-TELEVISION/BROADCASTING/ ELECTRONIC MEDIA

JOURNALISM

As a journalist, one will involve themselves in the researching, collecting, writing, editing, and presenting of information/news and then communicating it to the public through newspapers, magazines, radio, television, etc. Journalism offers career positions as reporters, editors, newscasters, authors, copywriters, publishers, technical writers, media interviewers, talk show hosts, and more. Creative Writing Editing Copy writing Publishing

PUBLIC RELATIONS

In PR, one will typically involve themselves in promoting and managing the public image of an institution or an individual. Academic courses such as business and professional comm., public speaking, print comm., media production are the best to enhance one's career in PR. Variety of careers in PR - Publicity manager, advertising manager, press agent, lobbyist, media analyst, creative director, audience analyst, news writer etc. Public Relations Managers Public Relations Specialist Corporate Public Affairs

PRINT MEDIA

Print Media is one of the most flourishing sectors of the country. The young generation of today is choosing a career in print media as working in this sector gives glamour promises opportunities to stride ahead very fast. But jobs in the print media also demand lot of hard work and patience. Many of the aspiring candidates opt for a career in the field of reporting but the leading magazines and the newspapers also hire artists, editors, graphic designers, photographers, cartoonists etc.

SCOPE IN PRINT MEDIA

Contrary to expectations, the popularity of the Internet and television has not maligned the importance of the print media in India. It is still one of the most respected and trusted source of information for the public and continue to play a vital role in generating and shaping public opinion in the country. A Career in Print media gives you an opportunity to work on various positions like:1.

Columnist - a person that gives and adds information to the columns of the newspaper.

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Freelance Journalist - a person who is salaried as per the contribution of the articles he/ she writes. Editors - People that design the layout of the matter before the final publishing of the news Sub Editors - A person that adds the final touches to the articles or the news given by the reporters Apart from the these positions, one can also think of a career in Print Media as Commentators, Cartoonist, Photojournalist, Reporters and Correspondents etc.

ELIGIBILITY FOR CAREER IN PRINT MEDIA

Candidates with a Bachelors Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in the filed of Mass Communication or Journalism are eligible for the admission to this course and for a bright and promising Career in Print media. Nearly all the newspapers in India offer good job opportunities in various sectors for the fresher as well as the experienced candidates.

ELECTRONIC MEDIA

A Career in Electronic Media often requires you to be creative and hard working. The prime job of electronic media persons is to communicate the transmission and the production of a certain program. The young generation of today is seen seeking jobs in Electronic Media as it is regarded as one of the glamorous industries. The technology of today is rapidly growing and thus opening numerous jobs in the field of electronic media. The field of electronic media can be divided into television and the radio. These are considered as the fastest modes of media to communicate the news or a series of events to the public.

SCOPE IN ELECTRONIC MEDIA

Many companies are in continuous need of quality professional from the field of electronic media. The want for people of the technical section is in greater demand and has better prospects. Prior qualification in film making i.e. the film and the production of the videos is an added advantage. Candidates with good creativity levels and those who can think out of the box have bright career opportunities in this field. Thus jobs in the electronic media are available in the fields of preproduction, postproduction, production assistant, broad casters, editors, animation and

computer graphic designers, set designers and many more. With so many television channels and mediums of entertainment cropping up in India, the scope of a good career in Electronic Media has increased by leaps and bounds.

COLLEGES OFFERING THESE COURSES

Career in Electronic Media offer excellent job opportunities and the training program in this field comprises of different techniques. Different colleges and universities all over the country offer courses in Mass Communication and other relate areas. Some of the colleges that offer electronic media related courses are Central Institute of English & Foreign Languages , Hyderabad, AJK Communication Research Centre, Jamia Milia Islam, New Delhi, Indian Institute of Mass Communication , Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, JNU New Campus, New Delhi, Xavier Institute of Communications, St. Xavier's College, Mumbai,Film & Television Institute of India, Pune.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Develop strong writing/verbal skills and excellent interpersonal skills. Get experience with public speaking by joining Toastmasters. Learn to work well on a team and develop leadership skills. Explore specializations within major and professional field. Select electives to enhance knowledge in area(s) of interest. Get involved in campus activities and organizations.