Nature of Mass Communication

From the above model of mass communication, it is easy to identify the following

features of mass communication.

1. Mass communication experience is public one. It means that anybody can be a part of this communication process at any time without much effort or permission.

2. It is a mediated communication act. Nature of the media involved in the process

defines the mediation in mass communication. For example, television can transmit a news instantly as it is a fast medium, newspaper takes to bring the same news report to the public because of its limitations. This is how nature of the media defines the mediation process in mass communication.

3. Mass communication is filtered communication. This filtering processing is called gatekeeping. For example, a news report in a newspaper or on a television channel filtered or controlled at different level by reporter, sub editor, news editor, editor.

4. It is the most complicated form of communication as it involves complex technology like satellites digital networks, management structure, marketing chain etc.

5. Mass communication can alter the way the society thinks about events and attitudes.

6. Mass communication experience is transient. It means that once you used a message (for example, a news report or a film) you may not use it again. The message is meant to be used once and it is gone. Who will read yesterday’s newspaper?

7. Mass communication is most often remains as one-way communication. As receivers, how many of us write letters to editor (sender)? A very few. But, in interpersonal communication, senders and receivers are in active conversation sending feedback to each other.

8. Unlike other communicators, mass communicators can’t see their audience.