Communication Conceptualized

Communication is a process by which information or emotion is transmitted to one or more individuals. A traditional model of communication states the presence of both a sender and receiver. The sender’s message or intent is transferred to the receiver who then interprets said information. This model can also easily be applied to most forms of mass media, but is made complicated by the emergence of present day cyber communication, enabling one to possibly be both a sender and receiver.

Mass media is a term used to describe any method of communication intended for large audiences. Types of media intended for large scale communication include newspapers, magazines, radio, cell phones, and the internet. There are many inherent benefits and disadvantages in massively communicating both on a personal and societal level.

The health of a society’s democracy can be defined by its ability to communicate via mass media. When, social, political, and international information (in conjunction with advertising) is delivered massively, it can often be hard to find legitimate unbiased information on any topic. Currently, “mass communication (is) in crisis…and public confidence in the media remains low.”(Hardt 2) However, it is necessary to protect our freedom of press and it is our responsibility to examine the process and motives fueling each sender.

Presently, any individual or group with an internet capable device may access the internet where endless data are perpetually sent and received. News, text, video, photo, and advertising information stream via the World Wide Web and are presently appropriated for irrepressible display on widely popular social networking sites. As a result, the ability of both the sender and receiver in our traditional model is modified, making each individual both a sender and receiver, a sender or receiver, or neither. The sender’s intention in this cyber communication model is more ambiguous; interpretation, culture and language serve as barriers to the recipient.

Humans are communicating more than ever on a global scale. Traditional models and methods of communication are transforming rapidly to adjust to present cyber communications. Language, culture, and interpretation may limit the ability of transmitting information, including the ability to obtain a sufficient internet-capable device. However, the basic necessity to communicate face-to-face, with all its struggles implied, has remained unchanged and will continue to be vital, regardless of modernity.

Works Cited:

Hardt, Hanno. Myths for the Masses. An Essay on Mass Communication. Oxford, England. Blackwell Publishing. 2004.