Today Mass media plays an important role in connecting the world full of people through machines whether it is Mobile, TV, Radio or Internet and computers. Mass Media has the capability and the ability to reach wide audiences with strong and influential messages which impact on the society. Now the mass media can be divided into two main categories that is traditional media (Folk, TV, Radio, newpaper etc.) and New Media (Internet).
In Traditional Media Television and Radio have a great influence on people’s daily lives and routines, affecting the content and times that audiences watch and listen? Mass media has at least three important roles to play: to inform, to educate and to influence opinion. These distinctive features of traditional media have been challenged by new media, which is changing the participation habits of the audiences.
Radio broadcasting services were introduced in India in the twenties while television services started in 1959. In the early days, people gathered around the radio set in the evening to listen to popular network programs. When television finally became a living room reality, people sat around TV sets watching their favourite shows. The revolution in TV comes in 1982 when color TV sets were introduced to the common people with the event Asian Games organized at Delhi. The cable revolution came in 90’s with the gulf war between Iraq and Iran. The pace of development quickened, and it was then that round the clock radio services in various languages started. In Radio start of FM channels (FM Gold) on All India Radio started the revolution. It gives a boost to the radio programs. With the start of private FM channels radio again leaves other mass mediums behind. A guy or a girl can be seen listening to the private or government FM channel any time any day means 24X7.
Mass media enables people to participate in events and interact with communities over long distance. One needs only to think
References: 1. Wikipedia. 2. News reports from BERNAMA. 3. Seminar guidelines on Media and Good Governance 4. Laurie Quellette and James Hay: Better Living through Reality TV (2008). 5. AIBD: Ethical Principles for Broadcasters (2009). 6. Commission on Communication and Multimedia Act 1998.