Media

Prior to radio, television, computer and the Internet, books, newspapers and magazines were the means and sources of knowledge and awareness. That was print media era. Era of electronic media followed with the inventions of electronic devices and instruments.

In the 21st century world, various media are parts of day to day work: print, electronic, social. Though print and electronic media are also useful, yet social media is the most useful, popular and accessible in the view of most people.

All types of media, nowadays, have entertaining materials. Because all types of media are means of awareness as well as entertainment, it makes difficult for some people to differentiate between entertainment and awareness.

Books, magazines and newspapers could reach where radio and television could not. It was because no electricity was needed for reading. Radio and television could reach where computer and the Internet could not. It was because no keyboard was needed to listen radio or watch television. Books, magazines, newspapers, radio and television could reach where computers and the Internet could not. However, computers, the Internet and social media became common more than the earlier media.

Social media became common in a comparatively short time than the other media. It is because of easy accessibility and minimum formalities. Electronic media still has features which are absent in social media.

All types of media have different uses. But the most important thing is the compatibility with changes because of developments in sciences and technologies. Media should become more accessible to common people. Print media has functions absent in electronic media. Electronic media has functions absent in social media. Yet print and electronic media did not become compatible with changes because of new technologies. 

By: Ashraf Naushahi

(Educator, Writer, Book-Reviewer, Specialist in English Literature, Translator)