Communication Through Ages Overview

Communication in Different Ages

• Pre-industrial age led to innovations like cave paintings (35,000 BC) and clay tablets (2400 BC).
• Papyrus in Egypt (2500 BC) and Acta Diurna in Rome (130 BC) were significant media inventions.
• Chinese Dibao (2nd Century) and Mayan Codex (5th Century) also contributed to information sharing.
• The printing press (220 AD) marked a leap in technology for mass communication.

Industrial Age Developments

• The industrial revolution (1700s - 1930s) in Great Britain transformed communication through advancements like the typewriter (1800) and telephone (1876).
• The printing press for mass production (19th Century) allowed widespread dissemination of information.
• Motion pictures began with photography/projection (1890) and evolved to sound films (1926) and commercial films (1913).

Media Language and Engagement

• Media language comprises codes and conventions to communicate messages effectively.
• Audience engagement reflects how consumers react to media texts.
• Audience expectations shape how producers create content to either satisfy or challenge viewer perceptions and understanding.

Audience Dynamics

• Audience foreknowledge involves the specific information audiences possess before engaging with media.
• Producers employ various strategies (audience placement) to connect with consumers, making them feel included in the media experience.
• Audience research informs media production, tracking consumer responses before and after exposure.

Cultural Influence on Media

• Culture significantly affects how media signs and codes are interpreted by different audiences, often influencing the meaning conveyed.

Digital Citizenship and Literacy

• Digital citizenship entails responsible and effective use of information, emphasizing engagement, critical thinking, and ethical interactions.
• Information literacy refers to the ability to understand and utilize data from various sources, including books and online platforms.

Intellectual Property Rights

• Intellectual property includes creations such as inventions and artistic works, safeguarded by laws like copyright, which protects creators' rights.
• Plagiarism involves using another author's language or ideas without credit, while fair use allows limited use of materials for specific purposes.
• Different types of intellectual property (patents, trademarks) protect unique products and services, with various symbols indicating their status.

Digital Privacy and Security

• Data privacy is crucial for protecting personal information from unauthorized access, with issues like hacking and phishing posing significant risks.
• Identity theft and cyberbullying represent severe consequences of inadequate digital security, emphasizing the importance of protecting online identities.

Media Impact on Society

• Media innovation leads to new methodologies and practices that meet evolving societal needs, especially in education and economic contexts.
• Opportunities in media include online shopping and citizen journalism, which empower individuals in information dissemination.
• Threats such as libel, misinformation, and disinformation challenge the integrity of media and can lead to reputational damage and societal discord.

The Role of Technology

• Technological advancements have reshaped communication, enabling better connections and altering daily life practices.
• Awareness of the digital divide highlights disparities in access to ICT and knowledge, demanding attention to social equity in media literacy.

Responsibilities in Digital Consumption

• Netiquette provides guidelines for polite interaction online, promoting constructive and respectful communications in digital environments.
• Challenges faced in media require awareness of age-appropriate content, legal concerns, and the need for responsible consumption to foster a safe media landscape.