Communications and Media

Communications and media play a vital role in the way we receive information about the world around us.  There are several types of communications and media available to the public.  Radios and newspapers have had the longest running history in reporting news.  The invention of the television led to live visual broadcasts of local and world news.  As technology has exploded, most people rely on the internet for the most accurate and up to date information.

Journalists are the people who report the news.  There are different professions of journalism which are specific to the type of media format.  Radio broadcasters rely on their audio appeal to audiences in order to deliver the news.  Typically, the voice heard over the radio is not the writer behind the words delivered.  Writers for radio news specialize in writing short, concise news stories that provide details that are easy to understand. 

Newspaper journalists must have the ability to write articles that the general public is able to read.  Newspaper media is broken down into specific sections such as World News, Sports, Life, Entertainment, and Local News.  Each city generally has at least one if not two different newspapers that are specific to their region.  There are also nationally distributed newspapers, the most well known being USA Today.  This type of newspaper gives an overview of what is happening throughout the country and in the world.

Broadcast journalists are the people who deliver the news on television.  These types of journalists are not the writers of the news, but rather the spokesperson for the network broadcasting the news.  Broadcast journalists usually have physical attributes that are attractive to the public.  They also have clear speaking voices and an ability to work in front of camera.  Broadcast journalists have many other types of media in which to work with.  News segments involve video footage as well as live television coverage of local and national news.  There is a team of communication and media personnel who organize and execute news broadcasts. Television journalists can become local celebrities and involved in their communities.  In addition to delivering the news, they can be found advertising for local charities and actively involved in the needs of the community.

The internet is the fastest and most up to date way to get news and information.  Most reputable news networks have internet websites which are continually updated by news as it happens.  CNN, MSNBC, and ABC News are all examples of large networks with websites.  Prior to the internet, people had to wait for their local news to come on in the evening, or the next day’s newspaper in order to read about what was going on in the world.  It is important to rely on reputable news networks for accurate information.  Journalists are prone to interject their own beliefs and values into the news.  The public needs to be cautious about anything they see, hear, or read about in the news.  There are always several viewpoints on they way news is perceived.