Introduction
In recent times, communication has experienced significant changes due to technological innovations and revolutions worldwide. While people in the past used simple methods like fire signals, drums, and messages through birds, modern communication methods have evolved to include telegrams, postcards, landlines, mobile phones, email, and the internet. Journalism and mass communication are two new areas of this vast communication landscape. While both involve exchanging messages with the public, they differ in their areas of focus.
Key Takeaways
- Mass communication is about relaying information to the general public in mass at one specific time, whereas journalism is about conveying information on different topics to the literate public on different occasions.
- Mass communication uses various media such as television, radio, internet, mobile phones, newspapers, and magazines, while journalism mainly targets literate people and involves electronic, print, or cyber media.
- Mass communication can involve fiction and non-fiction, while journalism is always about non-fiction and reporting real events and incidents in society.
Differences in Definition, Medium, and Content
Journalism is defined as the activity or profession of writing for newspapers, magazines, news websites, or preparing news to be broadcast. In contrast, mass communication is the imparting or exchanging of information on a large scale to a wide range of people. While mass communication is directly connected to all types of media, journalism mainly targets literate people and involves electronic, print, or cyber media.
Mass communication can cover both fiction and non-fiction, as it encompasses various areas such as journalism, video and audio production, advertising, event management, and public relations. However, journalism is always about non-fiction, as it primarily involves reporting actual events and incidents in society.
Skills Needed in Journalism and Mass Communication
A journalist must be a good writer and/or commentator, capable of researching specific topics and creating work based on accurate information. Journalism involves less creativity and more accuracy and precision. Journalists must keep themselves updated with current affairs, read newspapers daily, and be knowledgeable about politics, culture, business, crime, and entertainment news.
On the other hand, a person involved in mass communication may require a similar skill set, as journalism is also a part of mass communication. However, mass communication may also demand good imagination and creative writing skills.
Conclusion
Mass communication and journalism differ based on their medium, audience, and target, as well as the type of information they convey. Mass communication aims to send information to the public without concentrating on specific recipients, while journalism is about exchanging news, views, or ideas. Additionally, mass communication includes both fiction and non-fiction, while journalism primarily deals with non-fiction. The skills needed in these fields also differ based on these factors.
