What is (mass) communication?

Communication is defined as the transmission of information between two or more subjects. Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver developed a model of communication in 1949. Their model became known to exemplify the informational approach to communication [1]. This simple model consists of a transmitter and a receiver.

According to Hardt, mass communication defines society's "cultural, political, and economic discourse" [2]. He proceeds to explore the meaning of mass communication and elucidates the purpose of mass communication with individual people. Mass communication shapes the way individuals view. the world around them, socially and politically. Mass communication is the "discourse of society" [2] and it changes as the world is remodeled through out the years. The means of mass communication have a direct effect on personal communication [2].As time passes, communication changes. It is reshaped as the global media is reconstructed. Media has a significant role in society and is directly related to mass communication.

The internet changes the basic model of communication greatly. The internet takes away from the "face to face" communication, therefore creating a less personal discourse. This worldwide basis, known as the internet, is changing the way individuals communicate as well as mass communication. Sources of mass communication, such as televisions, are being used less as people are using the internet to look up wanted information. The internet could be considered a newer form of mass communication. As media and technology changes, mass communication changes as well.

[1] Chandler, Daniel. "Transmission Model of Communication."Prifysgol Aberystwyth / Aberystwyth University. 18 Sept. 1995. http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/short/trans.html 05 Jan. 2011. Internet.

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