What are media?

What are media?

In everyday language, a medium is a “mediator” of information. This includes means of communication such as television, internet, radio, books or newspapers. Media allows a message to be conveyed from one person to the next. This is because the word "media" derives from the Latin word "medium" and means something like "mediator".

The special thing about media is that they are accessible everywhere and can therefore inform many people very quickly at the same time . That is why they are also called “mass media” . You can also divide them into different types, namely in

• analog

• digital

• social or

• new media ,

• press ( journalism ).

What media are there?

There is no uniform distinction between media. However, a distinction is often made between analogue and digital media.

In the table you can see which types there are:

species description examples

📚 analog media "Analogue" means that you can touch, switch on and off or read these means of communication.

If they are printed out, you also call them "print media". Books, newspapers, magazines, posters, audio cassettes, CDs, records, leaflets

📺 Digital media These are all electronic media that you use to record, store or display online content. PC with Internet access, tablets, computer and console games, smartphone, television

📱 new media By the so-called "new media" you understand all channels that run over the Internet and telephones. Internet, e-books, mobile calls

💬 Social media Social media are digital networks or platforms on which you can exchange and network on the Internet. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest

📰 Press The word "press" refers to the entirety of the published news in the form of reports, reports or magazines. Newspapers, magazines

Functions of media

In addition to the different types, media also have the following functions:

• Spreading information: News, pictures and films – i.e. various types of information – can be spread through the media. In this way, people can get information and are also well entertained.

• Forming opinions: In many countries, the media have a great influence on people's opinions. Through the various means of communication, everyone can familiarize themselves with current topics and opinions and develop their own views.

• Criticism: In this context, reporting (i.e. journalism) in the mass media is not just for entertainment. It should also scrutinize and evaluate processes in politics and business.

• Propaganda: The media can also be used very specifically to influence the public one-sidedly. Unlike in democratic states, certain ideas or political convictions are communicated via newspapers and news programs, especially in dictatorships. The government is always portrayed positively and any criticism of the political leadership is forbidden.

What does reporting depend on?

As you can see, media does not always automatically correspond to the truth. Because they deliberately put certain events in the foreground, so that some topics are not even reported on. That is, they only filter out certain information that they consider important. Finally, they pass this filtered content to the people. This can lead to different media reporting on a particular event in very different ways.

In addition, the reporting depends on the respective press houses, publishers and broadcasters. They decide what and, above all, how they want to report on something. As a result, one's own political and economic interests can also have a major influence on reporting. For example, a magazine may be published by a political party. It is automatically influenced and no longer neutral.

Finally, publishers are also very much geared towards the interests of their audience. In order to achieve the best possible sales figures, the lives of celebrities are often reported on. Other issues take a back seat. This type of reporting is also called "tabloid" or "rainbow press”.

Transmitter receiver model

A medium transports a message from one person to the next. You also refer to this process as interpersonal communication. If you want to know how messages are transmitted in a communication situation, watch our video on the "Sender Receiver Model" directly!