What is (mass) communication?

Communication and mass communication are similarly difficult to define in today’s society of ever expanding knowledge and technology. Both have their own gray areas where certain aspects are left to the interpretation of individuals. Many websites or media resources try to define the subject, but it is a subject that is constantly evolving and varying as time goes on.

One of the most well known communication models emerged when engineers Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver developed their own in 1949 [1]. This generic model, which was actually intended for use in mathematical theory, led to a widely accepted basis for the definition of what exactly communication entails. While not applicable to every communications situation, Chandler states, “it reflects a commonsense (if misleading) understanding of what communication is [1].” The parenthetic term, if misleading, is included for a number of reasons including variables such as interpretation, bias, and medium, which the model does not account for. On the other hand, this model is almost completely reconfigured when considering mass communication.

A detailed perspective on mass communication, including its roots, applications, etc. is outlined in Hanno Hardt’s, Myths for the Masses. One of Hardt’s stronger opening quotations is that, “Mass communication defines democracy [2].” This powerful idea can, in itself, give one a sense of differentiability between communication and mass communication. From this quote, it can be interpreted that mass communication cannot only define a societies governing body, but the society itself. Yet Hardt provides a more direct definition separating communication and mass communication later on in his essay. He goes on to say that the difference between the two entities lies, "between the definition of democracy and individual participation."

Both the theories of Hardt and the Shannon Weaver transmission model are still applicable in the modern world. The Shannon Weaver model still has the same problems as outlined above. New technologies such as the internet, text messaging, and any other indirect methods of communication, leave a lot to the imagination when it comes to interpretation of messages. As for Hardt’s opinions concerning mass communication, it is still a powerful quality implemented in the present global society. A country’s economic, viability, political indecision, social happenings, etc., can all be affected by mass communication. Due to this quality, those with both good and bad intentions seek out control of this commodity. Overall, mass communication is and has been a powerful societal resource throughout time.

[3] Chandler, Daniel. "Transmission Model of Communication." Prifysgol Aberystwyth / Aberystwyth University. 18 Sept. 1995. http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/short/trans.html 04 Jan. 2011. Web.

[4] Hardt, Hanno. Myths for the Masses: an Essay on Mass Communication. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., 2004. Print.