It is impossible to imagine the modern world without the media. You need to live at least on a desert island in order not to have access to news from the outside world. The media have always existed, however, they have reached the greatest development in our time, and continue to develop along with science and technology. Some people are interested in: “Explain why the media is called the fourth power?” Everything is very simple. Because the power of their impact on human consciousness is truly enormous. The first three branches of government (legislative, judicial and executive) are vested with certain powers. They have the power of law. And the media dominate human minds, which is no less significant. The power of their power is so great that whole nations can program for certain thoughts.
What is the media
Media is the public dissemination of various data and information through various technical means. Not all sources of information relate to the media. There are certain requirements. For example, although newspapers and magazines belong to the means of communication, not all of them can be called mass media. In order to be considered as such, they must have a circulation of more than 1000 copies. The same sources as wall newspapers, libraries, forums, Internet blogs, conferences and the like do not apply to the media.
Why is the media called the fourth power in society? Because, in addition to the tool for transmitting data, the media are also a way of manipulation, propaganda and agitation in the political and other spheres of life.
Media History
The birth of writing and printing was a turning point in the process of the formation of mankind, changing its perception of the world around it. A person got the opportunity to receive information created by other people. After the first book was printed, printing houses began to be created throughout Europe, as well as across other continents. Of course, before the first printed books appeared, papyrus scrolls, clay books, etc. existed. However, it was with the advent of the printing press that human society entered a new stage of development.
After the books, newspapers appeared. This was due to the need of people to receive news about the economic and political life of society. With the development of science and technology, the media of communication also developed. After newspapers, magazines began to appear. After some time, radio and television entered the life of a person. And, finally, the Internet is what no modern resident of a developed country can imagine today. In today's time, a person has free access to all kinds of information that can be obtained from various sources. And newspapers, and magazines, and books, and television, and the Internet - all this is at the complete disposal of every resident of any developing country. Why is the media called the fourth branch of government? Because they control the consciousness of people no less than the legitimate branches of government.
Media functions in the modern world
Currently, media have the following functions:
- observation of events taking place in the world;
- editing, which consists in the selection and coverage of events;
- development of a social point of view;
- promotion of culture;
- political enlightenment of the masses.
Why is the media called the fourth power? Because, bypassing the usual institutions of power, such as school, church, etc., the media directly address the public. They have a strong socio-psychological impact on the formation of collective opinion. This feature of the media is widely used by various advertising agencies promoting this or that product, political figures and parties, to support their programs, etc.
Another main function of the media is to bring to the public important information from the main branches of government. Take the legislative branch. An example of how the adoption and interpretation of new laws is brought to the attention of the masses through television, print and online publications can be observed regularly. Also in other areas of life. Absolutely about all the events in the modern world, people draw information from the media.
Media Classification
Modern media are united according to various criteria. For example, there is such a classification:
- by style (serious publications, or the so-called "yellow press");
- by genre (advertising, political, etc.);
- by ownership (corporate, state);
- by the frequency of publications (every day, once a week or once a month);
- by distribution radius (regional or central).
There is also another classification of the media, more generalized:
- printed;
- electronic.
Various media outlets are also a form of media.
Newspaper
Newspaper is a printed publication regularly published in circulation under a permanent name. The frequency of exit is at least once a month.
Living conditions, reading interests, and requirements for the media during a given period of time dictate certain forms of information to print media. If before the war in Soviet times the most common genre used in newspapers was an essay, now the situation has changed a bit. Materials bearing educational and educational functions in the modern world have “migrated” to various magazines and other publications. Modern newspapers perform several other functions. All kinds of notes, reports, reports, interviews came to the fore - everything is extremely concise, containing a large number of facts. Presentation of various information in modern newspapers should be responsive. The news, which is already several days old, is considered hopelessly outdated. A concept such as “sensation” has become an integral attribute of any self-respecting publication. Only sensations can increase the circulation of any newspaper, and, accordingly, bring profit to the publisher.
More than half of all the material in the newspaper is news. Today they have become the main genre in this print publication. Political, economic, sports, and other news - they fill the bulk of all newspapers. Why is the media called the fourth power? The explanation is very simple. The same newspapers, along with other sources of mass communication, dominate, figuratively speaking, the minds of the broad masses of the population who read them and perceive the world through the prism of the information provided.
Journal
A magazine is called a periodical printed publication, which has a permanent heading and contains publications on scientific, political, industrial and other issues. There are also online magazines. They can be an electronic version of a printed magazine, or they can be an independent publication on the Internet. A magazine, like a newspaper, is a lever of influence on public consciousness. This explains why the media is called the fourth power. With their help, public opinion is formed and the impact on people's lives is exerted.
Radio
Radio is a wireless data transmission using electromagnetic waves of a radio range. For many people, radio is a source of information that accompanies an entire day and creates a certain emotional background. With the development of science and technology, radio is also changing. It is possible that the role of broadcasting radio in the future will be minimized, but today it remains for many consumers the closest and most convenient means of mass communication.
A television
Television became widespread in the second half of the 20th century. Along with broadcasting, it is one of the most popular means of disseminating information. The UN recognized the significant role of television in society by setting World Television Day. The advantage of television is that a person can receive information not only during reading or hearing, but also to see events with his own eyes. Why the media is called the fourth power, social science explains the following: mass communication media to a large extent affect all aspects of human life, and television is no exception.
the Internet
The Internet is one of the largest sources of information. Today, the Internet replaces people with almost all other resources. The World Wide Web contains on its open spaces an incredible amount of a wide variety of data for any demand. And if before people spent hours in the library to collect any materials, now you can find them without leaving your home.
The following question can be read on the Internet: “Explain why the media is called the fourth power.” The answer is obvious. Media at all times, and especially now, have power over the formation of public opinion. The influence of the Internet, as one of the sources of mass media, is growing every day.
The role of the media in society
Why is the media called the fourth power? The power of the media is based on the dissemination of information that affects people's lives. It often happens that various journalistic investigations become the foundation for the legal actions of the investigating authorities. The role of the media in modern society is enormous. A person now has the opportunity to find out the latest news happening on another continent. We are used to keeping abreast of all world events, and we no longer imagine life without it. Our opinion about them and what is happening in general depends on how various events are presented to us.
The influence of the media in political life
Media today are a very significant attribute in political life. This explains why the media is called the fourth power. The media occupy a central place in the election campaign. Politicians understand this well and invest huge amounts of money in this event. The fate of a particular voter depends on how campaigning is carried out competently.
At the same time, the media also plays such an important role as deterring and healing the authorities. Shedding light on some illegal actions of politicians, they bring to the public the facts that the latter would like to hide. The media can put an end to the career of some of those in power if their crimes become public. Investigations of some journalists with evidence may be the reason for opening a criminal case.
Media as a manipulator of human consciousness
In the modern world, such a thing as “information war” has appeared. In these “combat” operations, the main target of influence is information. With the help of mass communication, you can inspire people with certain thoughts and make them take specific steps. Hitler also actively used this technique, trying to arouse hatred of the Jewish people among the Aryans. He paid great attention to propaganda films that had hidden implications. For example, a film in which a vile Jew rapes a beautiful Aryan, aroused indignation among the audience, automatically setting them against the entire Jewish people. The same thing is happening now. With the help of the media, those in power are manipulating the consciousness of entire nations. Why is the media called the fourth power in society? Because their influence on human consciousness is difficult to overestimate.
