Cross-eyed Studio

Lecture: A Brief History of Mass Media, continued

Divisions of Mass Media

Mass Media can be divided up by media type.  Here are some examples:

• Print: Books, magazines , newspapers
• Broadcast: TV , radio
• Film & Video: Theatrical film releases, home video
• Music and Audio:Music CDs, sound design for film, audiobooks
• Electronic and Internet : Websites, software publishing, gaming (consider news delivery via the Wii as a new direction for mass media)

Another way to look at dividing up mass media is by career fields, such as Journalism, Entertainment, Graphic Design, Advertising, and Publishing.

Today, many of the divisions of mass media are being united through the technology of the internet. Websites provide text, photos, video, audio of current events and entertainment.

Thoughts for the Modern World of Mass Media

Back to 1791 in our timeline, this from the US Constitution.

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

So early on in mass media’s development, our country’s forefathers thought it important to include this note about “freedom of the press” in our nations governing laws.

This highlights an important factor about mass media. Aside from fun and entertainment, the mass media provides the people of the US with information on our elected officials and the work they are doing on our behalf. What would our nation be like if the press weren’t free (in other words, if the media was controlled centrally by the government)?