Coming of the 'Powerful' Mass Media

A very simple definition of the now very loaded term "MASS"has a very simple explanation given in the Dictionary - a great body of people or nation.It is extremely easy to identify the characteristics of the "MASS".
1)heterogenous
2)unknown to one another
3) separated from one another and cannot exchange their experiences
4)no leadership in the MASS, a loose organization

This term has also led to the growth of a negative connotation- mass frenzy, mass fury, mass culture. Communication as a process is generally held to involve transfer of information from one person to another Communication is higher and easier among a people who have a set of common beliefs. A process which involves a degree of encoding and decoding-to acieve its ends - a common set of codes.

The concerns of Communication are centred on
1) Sources and receivers
2)Functions and purposes
3) Channels, languages, codes
4)Content,references, types of information
5) Consequences of information

Mass Media onstitutions are located in the public sphere.
Rise of Media

Print Media
1)movable type
2)multiple copies
3)commodity
4)multiple secular content
5) individual in use
6) publication freedom

Film
1) invention of leisure
2) propaganda role
3)message with entertainment
4)documentary
5)ideological

Radio
1) very large output
2) breaks literacy barrier
3) national and international character
4) public broadcasting
5) community radios, FMs

Television
1) audio-visual
2) shared viewing
3) public character
4) initially scope for regulation but now the 'Open skies' you can't build walls to stop air waves and signals
5) very diverse content for equally diverse viewers -'l-c-d' content
6) one way medium creates passive viewers
7) mediated reality

And now entertainment through the Internet treads both the 'MASS' and the 'Individual' pattern.

Interactive, personal use and more an individuated pattern in use. Hence an alteration of the traditional definition of Mass!The users are unknown so to that extent the receiver is unknown!

NITHARI KILLINGS AND AFTE......

Sat with my eyeballs glued on to the TV screen while the Channel went to town calling for citizen response to the sceneoutside the Courts where the killers' of many innocent children were being brought. The lawyers had gone berserk because they were not allowed to enter the courtroom.
BUT, a few doubts and fears crossed my mind.

1) The early signs of patience running out with a corrupt police and ineffective judiciary was catching up.

2) The hurt of the parents who are closer to the brutal manner in which their children were handled.

3) In an attempt to be first with the news, it was 'breathless' reporting.

The last aspect left one wondering if such scenes would not sometimes lead to not so serious events being hijacked by the mob frenzy, and the law enforcing authority would have to merely stand and stare unable to control this fury.

With all the justification we accord to this manner of bringing the seriousness of an issue before us, one wondered if inactive, ruthless politicians should not wake up to this fury that revealed itself.

Elections and promises come and go with a regularity but at the end of the term a balance sheet is rarely drawn up. May be time is not far off when such fury will be directed against our 'netas' who mouth inanities, provide for many generations to come from the public coffers, live life as if all were born with a silver spoon, and Forget the common Man whom he is supposed to represent.

The 'first with the News' has its downside too!! It might have a ripple effect much to the detriment of a civil society.