| The term 'mass media' is known to everyone. Daily we use the media sources to learn the latest domestic and world news, find necessary information, to entertain or to listen to the weather forecast. The importance of mass media nowadays is huge. Mass media shape and form customer decisions, present new goods and services, educate and make us think. The media play a significant role in forming and reflecting public opinion, bringing people together. The media have a strong social and cultural impact upon society, because it can reach a wide audience. They comprise four principal sources: TV, press, radio and the Internet.
Everyday millions of papers and magazines are published worldwide. The number of them seems endless. There are various national and local papers, dailies and weeklies, broadsheets that cater to the better educated readers and popular newspapers that sell to a much larger readership. Some newspapers give coverage to politics, financial and economic issues; while others concentrate on 'human interest stories' and scandals.
Since the advent of radio, more people have got access to the latest news. We ordinarily turn on the radio when driving a car to listen to the newsflash and news breaks broadcast from the spot. Listeners are particularly much into phone-in chat-shows and music charts.
It has been estimated that the vast majority of people regard TV as their main source of information. TV sets have become a part of home decor. Our daily life is frequently planned according to the programme schedule. We switch it on to view our favourite sitcoms and talk-shows, to watch newly released movies, music videos and news programmes.
While TV broadcasts are scheduled, the Web allows us to have access to information and forms of entertainment day and night. The Internet contains vast databanks of information in every language. It is known for the diversity of opinions presented, vast collections of tunes and films, electronic encyclopaedias designed to optimise the search on the Web, e-books and official sites of papers and magazines.
Life without mass media would be dull and limited. Nevertheless, 'addiction' to some sources of amusement, such as viewing TV and surfing the Internet for hours, can badly impact on well-being and interpersonal interaction. |
