The many ways people seek to communicate information to a
large audience are known as the media. This communication
can be in written, spoken, printed, or digital form. Throughout
history, leaps in technology from the invention of printing
to growth of the Internet have led to better, faster ways
of reaching people. Today, information can be relayed
around the globe in seconds.Media
Powerful microprocessors
enable modern phones to
perform multiple functions
at the same time264
This book is a media
product and was created
using digital technologyNewspapers are usually
printed on inexpensive
paper called “newsprint”(^1) DIGITAL MEDIA
The word “digital” refers to the way that
information is turned into number-based
codes before being sent or stored via
electronics. The Internet is the key form
of digital media, and has opened up mass
media to the individual. Anyone with
a blog or website can express opinions
to a huge audience.
Laptop
computer
Smartphone
(^2) CONVERGENCE
In this digital age, media content is
available on many different platforms.
News, films, and television programmes
can be viewed on smartphones, tablets,
computers, and smart televisions. In
addition, these digital devices also
enable people to create as well as
consume media content, via social media
platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
(^3) TELEVISION AND FILM
Since the early broadcasts of
the 1930s, television has brought
news and entertainment to a wide
audience. Today, television and
films can be watched from home.
DVDs, smart televisions, and online
streaming services, such as Netflix,
allow viewers to choose between
thousands of shows, as well as
record, pause, and rewind them.
(^4) RADIO
In 1938, a radio dramatization
of The War of the Worlds in
the United States convinced
many listeners that an actual
Martian invasion was in
progress. Today, radio stations
still fill the airwaves with
music, talk, news, and drama.
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