Media has several types. But generally, there are three basic types of media

1.       Print media

2.       Broadcast media

3.       New media

The print media

The print media is a typed media used in mass communication in the form of printed publications. The traditional form of print media involves ink and paper. The major types of print media are books, magazines, newspapers, newsletter, posters, brochures, and press releases.

a)      Book

The book is defined as a set of printed sheets of paper that are held together inside a cover. It is a long written intended to inform like reference books or entertain such as novels.

b)      Newspaper

Newspaper refers to as a document published regularly, consisting of news reports, articles, photographs, and advertisement that are printed on large sheets of paper folded together.

c)       Magazine

The magazines defined as a periodical publication containing articles and illustrations, typically covering a particular subject or area of interest.

d)      Poster

A poster is a bill or placard for posting, which is often placed in public place. Posters by nature are visual. It makes use of photos or graphics to convey a message.

e)      Brochure 

The brochure is defined as a small, thin book or magazine that usually has many pictures and information about a product, or a place, etc. It is typically used as a form of advertisement or promotion.

f)       Press release

It is defined as an official statement that gives information to newspapers, magazines, television news programs, and radio stations.

The Characteristics of Print Media

1)      A proponent of Literacy- Print media is essentially written media. One must be able to read patronize print. By requiring literacy, print media also promotes it.

2)      Portable – Print media is the most portable platform of media. Its size and weight allow people to carry it everywhere.

3)      Independent form of media- Unlike other forms of media, print does not require a separate medium or technology to transmit or receive information.

4)      Structure- Correct grammar and proper sentence construction is a must in priny media. Arranging material to follow a layout is required before publishing. The structure is given emphasis in print media.

Newspaper as Source of Information

The newspaper is one of the reliable sources of news and information. Its goals are to inform the     public of the latest happenings in almost everywhere and develop public opinion.

With the birth of new media, the newspaper still to be the medium of the mass because of the availability and affordability. Thus, many people are still reading and relying on newspapers in terms not news and information, entertainment, and education.

Typical newspapers have the following sections:

1)      News Section- This section is considered the essence of the newspaper. Thus, it is found in the first pages of the newspaper. The front page of the newspaper is intended for significant news stories from local community, national, and international scenes.

2)      News stories featured in this section should have a lead that answers questions who, what, where, when, why, and how.

3)      Newspaper must maintain it sense of fairness, accuracy, and truthfulness in narrating the stories at all times.

4)         Photojournalism – It is a form of journalism that tells new stories through images. Photojournalism should maintain its sense of timeliness, objectivity, and narratively.

5)      Opinion Section also includes a letter to the editor and editorial cartoons.

6)      Sports Section – It features local, national, and international news and information on sports events.

7)      Entertainment Section- It offers features article that emphasize the various aspects of culture. This section includes film, music, arts, fashion, and food. It may also contain scripts, columns on advice, and horoscopes.

8)      Classified or Classified Ads Section – it contains advertisement on services, job opportunities, and bidding.

a)      Radio Broadcasting

The invention of radio began with the telegraphs. As the first technological advancement that made long distance communication possible, its popularity at the time cannot be overstated. Despite its accomplishments, telegraphic communication was limited.

Another great invention was that of Alexander Graham Bell, called the telephone. These two revolutionized long distance communication. 

Experts aimed to abolish the limitations of the telegraph wire. Among the earliest breakthrough is credited to an Italian inventor named Guglielmo Marconi. He transmitted a message, which was picked up without any need for wired connection. He had demonstrated that it is possible to cast an electronic signal to space so that it can be captured at random points without the necessity of wires. In doing so, the age of broadcasting began.

Initially, radio has been further developed to aid in communication of the military. Since it has broken the boundaries set by wires, radio has gone farther than any communication medium has gone before. It became a necessity for ships and naval fleets. Its strategic applications in the military made it powerful tool during the First World War.

When the war ended in the year 1918, the Golden Age of radio began. Many manufacturing companies saw opportunities in mass marketing home radio receivers for casual use. The first ever commercially owned radio station was KDKA owned by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation of Pittsburgh. They were the first to use the radio for entertainment to entice the public in purchasing home radio receivers.

Other manufacturers soon followed Westinghouse’s example. Among the most notable of which was the American Telephone and Telegraph (AT & T) who was the first to broadcast paid advertisements on its stations. A practice that still persists in today’s radio.

According to estimates by National Association of Broadcasters in 1922 there were 60, 000 households in the United States with radios; by 1929, the number the first to broadcast paid advertisement on its stations. A practice that still persists in today’s radio.

b)      TV Broadcasting

Unlike the radio, the invention of television was initially prompted by commercialism. The earliest notable development was that German inventor Paul Nipko, where he was able to successfully transmit an image in 1884. Further developments to Nipko’s mechanical system known as the rotating disk was made by several other experts from all over the world.