298 Society and Beliefs
The media (sometimes called mass media) includes all
the institutions and technology that communicate news
and entertainment to society. They include print media
(the. PRESS),. BROADCAST media (television and
radio), and new media, such as the Internet.
IS THE INTERNET DIFFERENT TO OTHER MEDIA?
In most mass media, information flows in one
direction only, from its creators to the public. The
Internet, however, has created a “virtual” community
that can share information, views, and experiences
with each other via emails, weblogs, and message
boards. While Internet sites are not checked for
accuracy or fairness, they can provide a balanced and
informal alternative to the official media by letting
diverse voices be heard.WHO PAYS FOR THE MEDIA?
Media can be state-owned, such as the British
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), or owned by a
private company. Media consumers normally pay
a small fee to access information, although private
companies meet most of the cost from businesses or
sponsors who buy. ADVERTISING space.WHAT EFFECTS DO MASS MEDIA HAVE?
People depend on media for everything from the
latest headlines to yesterday’s sports results. At its
best, the media educates, provokes, and entertains.
Yet mass media can also be used for propaganda
purposes to sway public opinion and distort the truth.1 HOLLYWOOD FILMS
The American film industry depends on popular movies, with plenty of
action, comedy, or romance, to capture the interest – and ticket sales –
of a global audience. Blockbusters, such as the Superman series, enable
studios to cover their huge production costs of making the films.4 THE WORLD IS JUST A CLICK AWAY
Over 2 billion people worldwide use the Internet. Its technology
enables us to access information wherever we find a computer,
a modem, and a phone link, provided we can pay. Mobile phone
technology can allow people to log on from almost anywhere.HOT OFF THE PRESS 3
Newspapers must be written
by journalists, printed in vast
quantities, and distributed – all
before their news is out of date.
A typical daily paper must meet a
1am deadline so that its 6am first
edition hits the newsagent.Media
SUPERMAN