Media Communication: Evolution and Impact on Society
Media Communication
I. The Power of Mass Media
In today’s society, mass media like print, radio, and television play a crucial role in shaping public discourse. These platforms generate vast amounts of information, creating a one-way communication dynamic where the sender (journalist) and receiver (audience) do not exchange roles equally. The message can be objective or subjective, transmitted through complex technology to reach a massive audience. Besides language, other codes like graphics, icons, and sounds contribute to the message’s meaning. The primary purpose of media is to inform.
II. The Evolution of the Press
The press, the first form of social media, remained dominant for centuries until the rise of radio in the early 20th century. This shift broadened and deepened the press’s role, transforming it into a product sold to advertisers and the public. Modern newspapers require complex and costly organizations. The current trend is towards large media conglomerates encompassing press, radio, and television. Information sources for the press include news agencies, special envoys, correspondents, editors, files, and documentation. Newspapers are categorized by frequency (daily, weekly), content (general, specialized), and geographical area (local, regional, national, international). They also vary in quality, from serious press to popular press.
III. The Language of Journalism
Journalistic language is diverse, incorporating various content, codes, and communicative goals. Content is organized into sections by subject or territory, with prominence and length reflecting importance. Linguistic and extra-linguistic codes (iconic) create a heterogeneous language. Journalistic genres are classified into news, opinion, and mixed. News genres (news reports, interviews) transmit facts objectively. Opinion genres (editorials, op-eds, letters to the editor) offer personal or collective viewpoints. Mixed genres (chronicles, cultural criticism) combine information and opinion.
Journalistic Text and Style
Journalistic text is a specific language incorporating literary, scientific, political, and administrative elements. It typically uses a standard register, aiming for correctness, conciseness, and clarity. News prioritizes conciseness, clarity, and objectivity through short sentences, precise vocabulary, and third-person passive constructions. Opinion pieces allow for more personal styles.
Headlines
Headlines are brief statements that define, prioritize, or summarize an aspect of the text. They may include an antetÃtulo (pre-headline) for additional context and a subtitle for emphasis. Headlines are short, precise, and informative, designed to attract attention.
IV. News
News reports cover current events of public interest. Criteria for newsworthiness include proximity and human impact. A news report answers the questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how. The classical structure (inverted pyramid) starts with the most important information and progresses to details of lesser importance. The news is divided into the lead (first paragraph, summarizing key information) and the body (expanding on the lead with decreasing importance). News writing is objective, impersonal, and typically unsigned.
V. Reports and Interviews
Feature
A feature is an in-depth news story providing broader context and deeper analysis. It incorporates various sources, including direct evidence and statements. Its structure resembles news (lead and body), but the lead must be engaging, and the ending thought-provoking. Features utilize narrative and descriptive elements, maintaining objectivity while allowing for a more personal style.
Interview
An interview is a conversation between interviewer and interviewee. It can focus on statements, information, personality, or psychology. Interviews may use open-ended questions or closed questionnaires. The structure includes an introduction (context, character, reason) and a question-answer section. Interviews can be objective or interpretive, sometimes considered a mixed genre. The style varies depending on the interview type.
VI. Opinion Genres
Editorial
An editorial expresses the newspaper’s opinion on current events. It is unsigned and placed in a fixed location. It combines exposition and argumentation, summarizing the issue in the introduction, providing explanations in the development, and concluding with a synthesis. The style is cultured, objective, and calm.
Op-ed
An op-ed discusses a topic of interest, signed by the author. Topics are varied, and the structure is free. Writers express their opinions in an argumentative or expository style.
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor are reader opinions on any topic, signed and accompanied by identification. Topics and styles are varied, emphasizing clarity, conciseness, and correctness.
VII. Mixed Genres
Chronicle
A chronicle combines information and interpretation, offering a personal perspective on a current event. The chronicler is a direct witness, providing context and analysis.
Cultural Criticism
Cultural criticism reports on and evaluates cultural events, blending information and opinion. The author is a specialist, using descriptive and expository-argumentative styles. The structure and style are free, potentially subjective.