Media in general are the tools or resources used to deliver and transmit data or information in a multimedia format. The word refers generally to the components of the mass media communication systems, including print media, broadcast media, the television, radio, and cinema. These mediums have emerged as effective communication devices that facilitate the exchange of information or facts. In addition, they can also be used to convey an emotion, a message, a point of view, or a review.
The term media originally denoted the word pulpit, which was a podium where people gathered to listen to important discussions, debate, or discuss issues. However, with the evolution of human communication, it has come to refer more closely to the elements of communication used in interpersonal communications. For instance, the term was used to characterize the early forms of mass communications, which were the spoken words or letters. There were no newspapers or magazines; people wrote their letters via private secretaries or experts on their own. Furthermore, since the advent of new media such as the radio and the internet, the term media has come to denote the new forms of direct communication established and developed by these media.
The earliest forms of media included woodcrafts, oral communication through stone-writing, phonographic communication such as telegraph and the earliest forms of print media such as ink and paper. The evolution of the media systems did not halt with the advent of new communication technologies. They continued to expand and improve with the development and improvement of technology.
As early as the 19th century, the term media was already being used in everyday communication. The evolution of modern mass media required new types of media. It became necessary for the human communication system to evolve into something more efficient and powerful. This was done primarily by the evolution of television and the advancements that came about with the invention of the telephone. The change in the forms of media brought about changes in its reporting, news coverage and format.
In modern times, the term media is normally associated with television, radio and the internet. There are several types of electronic media that have come to replace the traditional forms of communication. Examples of these include cinema, motion pictures and audio books. However, the evolution of electronic media is not fully complete as there is still room for further development.
As electronic media continues to develop, it will continue to challenge the existing forms of media. However, because of its vast potential, communication will only continue to become more effective and efficient. In future articles, we will be discussing the evolution of the media and how it is impacting our world today.