Name: Erica Bryan

Date: 24/3/20

Subject: Caribbean studies

Topic: Mass Media

1. What is the mass media

The mass media refers to a diverse array of media technologies that reach a large
audience via mass communication. The technologies through which this
communication takes place include a variety of outlets. Broadcast media transmit
information electronically via media such as films, radio, recorded music, or
television.

2. What are some examples of the mass media

The mass media have three categories: print media, electronic media, and digital
media.

 Examples of print media include newspapers , magazines and books

 Examples of Electronic media include radio , television and DVDs and
CDs
 Examples of digital media includes the internet , live streams , blogs and
social network
3. What are the function of the mass media

 Source of information: the primary function of the mass media is to

provide information or send a message, be directly or indirectly.
 Entertainment; the provision of entertainment by digital and print
media either through direct access to programming by both broadcast
and digital media.
 Promotion and defence of rights of citizens: media as access to
information is dominant artery for democracy. it empowers citizens
to make responsible and informed decisions on important matters
such as the election of officials .the media serves as a ‘watch dog’
on government on behalf of citizens . At the same time, it serves as
an informant for government; facilitating debates, announcing state
processes and decisions and broadcasting all events.
 Construction of national, regional, and diasporic identity: Mass media
provides a fundamental service in the promotion of a national
identity. This was critical in both the run up to independence – with
newspapers giving column space to proponent of anti-colonialism and
nationalist such as Claude McKay. Most Caribbean-based mass media
is country focused. Regional news providers such as the Caribbean
news agency (CANA), which belongs to the Caribbean media
corporation (CMC), have been established to focus on news at a
regional level. Moreover, the mass media helps Caribbean nationals
who are abroad from losing their Caribbean identity in a foreign land.
 Prompting cultural experience and exchange, the media has served to
facilitate the promotion of various forms of culture, both within and
outside the region. technological advances have helped to extend
the reach of information with , for example the internet ;allowing
local cultural events to be advertised .
 Cultural imperialism : the dominance of the US mass media in the
Caribbean , especially cable TV programming , has been viewed as a
form of cultural imperialism .The view is that the US programming
 had imbued the Caribbean population with US attitudes ,
perspectives , values , culture and beliefs at the expense of traditional
native Caribbean ones .

4. What are some advantages and disadvantages of the mass media?

Adv

 . It educates people. Through television and radio programs, people get to

learn about health matters, environmental conservation, and much more.
 People get the latest news in a very short time. Distance is not a barrier.
People get news daily through the media and this keeps them updated on the
happenings around the world.
 Great in promoting mass consumer products. This can in turn increase sales
of the product.
 Serves as a good source of entertainment. People get entertained through
music and television programs.

Disadv

 It leads to individualism. People spend too much time on the internet and
watching television. As a result, socialization with friends, family, and
neighbors is affected.
 It can lead to ruin of reputation. It is possible for one to create an anonymous
account. Such accounts can be used to for malicious reasons such as
spreading rumors. This can lead to ruin of reputation of an individual or a
company
 It glamorizes drugs and alcohol. Some programs make the use of these
things appear cool’.
 Internet as a form of media opens up possibilities of imposters, fraud, and
hacking.