Types of Media

Media is an umbrella term for the different kinds of mediums that enrich us with knowledge, and vital information. It is the circuit that runs through society, in the form of visual, print and audio mediums, namely - television, newspaper (magazines, tabloids and newsletters), radio and the Internet. These mediums play different roles when it comes to communicating to the audiences at large, as well as altering their perceptions.

Advertising agencies take advantage of an audience's nature, and therefore give out repetitive messages of a brand or place that can - make their lives better and improve lifestyles; showcase technology that is eye-catching; food products that are healthy; medicines that are effective; cost saving plans with insurance suggestions; bank loans and mutual fund investments; attractive holiday packages and apartments and so on. We witness everyday how these different types of mass media change and aid us in our day-to-day dilemmas, making things more accessible and extremely convenient. It's an arm stretch or a mouse click away, making us rely on these mediums as we live out our lives.

4 Types of Media
Here the types of media channels in mass media, are discussed further in detail, with added information on how it has changed over the course of time.

Newspaper (Print Media)
The different types of print media content, varies according to the targeted audience or market. Content in newspapers will slightly differ to that in magazines, tabloids and newsletters. These mediums serve the purpose of showcasing advertisements, news or entertainment related information to audiences. Newspapers are a worldwide medium, that have been around far back to Julius Caesar's time, in the form of government bulletins. With the industrial revolution, newspaper were made possible to print and were used as a means of communicating in the year 1814, which kick started journalism.

Inception of Some Newspaper Publications Worldwide

This table traces some countries, with their first publications that started off the newspaper era.

Country of Origin	Year of Pub.	Name of Newspaper
Germany	1609	Avisa
France	1631	La Gazette (original name - Gazette de France)
Portugal, Lisbon	1645	A Gazeta
Krakow, Poland	1661	Merkuriusz Polski Ordynaryjny
Haarlem, The Netherlands	1656	Opregte Haarlemsche Courant
England	1702	The Daily Courant

Radio
The radio marked a turning point, in the way information was conveyed or transferred, because it used sound to capture the attention of audiences. Being the first communications medium that could transfer or transmit live voices over long distances, radio was and still is one of the most effective medium. People depended and still depend upon it as a source of important news, and information. The importance and optimum use of radio as a mass media was nowhere more evident than in World War 1. Radio was used to send diplomatic messages when Germany found out the British had tapped its cables. It made itself a medium that audiences found as their connection to all that happened worldwide. If they ever knew that television and the Internet, would take the world by storm in this day and age, they'd be blown away by how we're advancing, and still in the running to make it bigger and better.

Television
The progression of television has come a long way from black and white and color TV to plasma and LCD TVs. The advent of this ever-changing medium started in the late 1930s, for entertainment and news purposes initially. Now, we have advertising, that has been incorporated into entertainment and news, to give viewers a chance to avail from products/services. There's also a new way of accessing the Internet, by using a 'Web TV' that is hooked up instead of a PC, to browse information, and watch streaming videos on large LCD screens. After production of the TV program, a news channel has to make it available to the market, for those who are interested in viewing it. These programs can be talk shows, cooking shows, serials, movies and so on. There are two ways that is done.

First/Original Run
Once a program is completed by the producer, of either multiple or a single episode/s, he/she then wants a network or station to view it to audiences. These networks/TV stations already pay for the production themselves, or license a producer to do it instead before it is viewed to the people.

Broadcast Syndication
This is when secondary runs of a program, which go beyond its original first issue run, is again broadcast in other countries/locally and isn't necessarily managed by the producer. In this case other TV stations, individuals or companies involve themselves in selling the product to available markets that they are allowed to showcase it to, usually under contract basis in some cases from the copyright holders/producers.

Internet
Internet technology has paved the way to revolutionize all that we thought was either hidden or inaccessible. From the different types of media, the history of the Internet can be termed to be, by far, man's greatest innovation story. The Internet has made it possible to contact others worldwide, nationally and locally; to send emails and be a part of chat rooms and conferences; blogging with discussion boards, opinion polls and forums; webcam viewing; global mapping using 'Google Earth'; sending and receiving images and files; downloading from the Internet through websites; signing up to a social networking websites; radio stations with live streaming; video streaming and lots more. It has stomped out conventional norms, with every teenager, adult and senior owning either a laptop or PC today. News can also be viewed via satellite with reporters covering events on site and sending it via the Internet to broadcasting news networks. It's an amalgamation of uses, that is above all user-friendly and hi-tech. Using radio waves and frequency, not to mention satellite transmissions - we are able to access a whole new domain when it comes down to getting what we want and need within minutes. The Internet revolution has made it easier for people to get in touch, fuel business, make profits, shop and access free information from any Internet access enabled device. It is truly a technology that speaks for itself.

These types of media are objects of fascination and awe, with technology advances to make it better, faster and easier to handle. As with any medium of communication, it can be put to good use and also be misused. Depending on the type of media coverage, a product, news or any piece of information can be used or misused according to the intention of the user. With the advent of faster and quicker means of media communication the fine line between ethical and non ethical media has begun to blur. So the next time you hook yourself onto a hi-tech gadget or innovation, think about what lies ahead in terms of progression. Man is constantly coming up with ways to mesh technology with the slow rise in the standard of living; who knows where it'll lead us or what's in store for the future.