What Is The Functions Of Mass Communication For Society?

Some people would argue that the function of mass communication for society is changing, especially considering that the objectives of magazines and social media are worlds apart. In some cases, particularly in the traditional printing press, the main aim of mass communication was to make an example out of people, ensuring that the public were aware that committing crimes such as murder and rape would result in punishment. Social media is also used to promote business and advertise goods and services in a way that conventional PR, sales and marketing couldn't. Now, Facebook really is interactional in a way that hasn't been done before, with the opportunity for consumers to interact directly with Sony's page quite unprecedented.

Let's not forget that another function of mass communication is to entertain. Let's just look at the final of Britain's Got Talent on ITV1 in 2011, which achieved an audience of a staggering 11 million. With one broadcast reaching all of these people, this is mass communication in its finest hour.

Finally, with news programming and other forms of coverage, let's not forget that mass communication has the potential to broadcast momentous occasions to the world. Such developments in the 21st century have included the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, or the live broadcasts that showed the terrorist attacks of September 11 and July 7.

Mass communication plays more of a role now than it has ever done before, and this is because of how inventions such as the Internet truly have made the world a smaller place.

Surveillance
information
entertainment
mobilization
correlation
education
interpret

Functions of the Mass Media:  Though there are two main functions of mass communication, which are overt and latent functions of communication, six specific functions of the mass media could be identified here. These are:    1.Survey of the environment. This is the collection and distribution of information within and outside a particular environment. The information flow is necessary for unity and coherence if we live in the society of collectivity;    2. Correlation of parts of the society. This includes the interpretation of the information, the prescription of conduct and, the comment on social value;    3. Transmission of social heritage. By communicating information through the mass media we are transmitting social and cultural values, which aim at sustaining the society;    4. Educating the masses. Education on the policies of governments and on the rights and responsibilities could be carried out through the mass media.    5. Entertainment function. The mass media also entertain the public by providing emotional relaxation, intrinsic and cultural enjoyment (i.e. Provision of momentary escape from problems) and killing boredom; and    6. Mobilization function. This function of the mass media is very important to developing communities everywhere. It seeks to bring the people together and helps to advance national development.    (www.ghanaweb.com