“COMINUCATION

NETWORKS
CHANNELS AND
MEDIA”

COMMUNICATION NETWORKS CHANNELS AND MEDIA

A communications network is a set of technical means that allow remote

communication between autonomous (non-hierarchical) teams. Normally it involves
transmitting data, audio and video by electromagnetic waves through various media (air,
vacuum, copper cable, optical fiber, etc.).
Communication channel is the transmission medium through which the signals carrying the
information that the sender and receiver intend to exchange travel. It is also frequently
referred to as a data channel.
Communication channels:

The channels can be:

 Personal: Personal channels are those where communication is direct. Voice to voice. It
can occur one to one or one to several.
 Mass: Mass channels can be written, radio, television and computer.

Communication networks define the channels through which information flows. An

organization's channels can be formal or informal and each has a respective use. Formal
networks are generally vertical, following the chain of authority and limited to
communications with business tasks. On the contrary, informal networks are not rigid in
their direction, they can take any, jump levels of authority and surely satisfy social
needs of the internal members of the organization, for example, rumors or gossip.

We can define the Formal Network (RF) as one that intertwines its members following
a hierarchical or predetermined structure. The best example of a Formal Network is
reflected in the organization chart of any company.

On the contrary, an Informal Network (IR) links its members obeying only the natural
empathy that is generated among them, regardless of the position or position they
occupy. In an Informal Network, not only does the organization chart not count, but
even, in an overlapping way, another hierarchy emerges, a "parallel" hierarchy.

Of course, not all organizations favor the emergence of Informal Networks in the same
way; Let us think, for example, of a religious or military type organization where the
weight of the formal is very strong and coercive. But even in these examples, Informal
Networks are deployed because human interaction necessarily goes beyond the pre-
established , and it is good that this is so.

Formal and Informal Networks operate with two types of communication channels :

 Formal Communication Channels (CCF)

 Informal Communication Channels (ICC)

Formal Communication Channels are limited to the Formal Network and cross (or
should cross) the company's organizational chart following four trajectories: ascending,
descending, horizontal and diagonal. Each of these routes favors contact between
different levels, departments and areas of the organization, while pursuing the
achievement of particular objectives: identity construction, consensus, participation,
feedback, cohesion, teamwork, etc. The achievement of any of these objectives is
possible thanks to the fact that the CCF are designed and managed by the company, thus
exercising significant control over the information that circulates through them .
In contrast, Informal Communication Channels respond to an Informal Network and are
not planned. Although it is true that Informal Networks are not alien to formal
communication (let us not forget that despite their spontaneity they are inserted within a
Formal Network and therefore are permeable to its channels), they go beyond the
structure of the organization and open channels alternatives through which to circulate
your own information. The Informal Network not only interprets and reinterprets
"official" information (when it exists), but also produces its own "unofficial"
information.

In the continuous and perhaps unconscious process of devaluation of Informal

Networks, management teams have fallen into the error of conditioning communication
to an organizational chart of hierarchies where only the highest level has the say. This
one-way monologue prevents them from taking full advantage of the potential and ideas
their employees can bring. Thus, communication ends up focusing on conventional
channels (read: formal and descending), eliminating feed-back and alternative channels.

Media:

They are those technological means that are used to send messages, that are aimed at a
large number of audiences, and that can travel great distances in a minimum of time.
With this type of media, the receiver loses his character as an “individual” receiver and
is now called a “collective receiver” .

Characteristics:

The characteristics of these media contribute to the preparation and delivery of

messages

A- These social media are “media”, therefore, there are senders and receivers that can
be individual and collective.

B- They are open, this means that anyone can access them.

C- They are related to different disciplines, which involves the use of different
languages, as well as technical specifications.

D- The contents are intended for a heterogeneous audience and a range of recipients, as
well as a smaller audience, which handles certain codes and information necessary to
decode the message.

Types of mass media:

The types of media can be the following:

Books
They correspond to a written medium. Thanks to technological advances, serial
reproduction has been made possible and consequently, they can reach several receivers
at the same time.

Newspapers

Printed media. They are newspapers or magazines of daily or regular publication,

which contain topics on different subjects; They are also characterized by the way they
deliver information.

Television

It is a system for transmitting moving images. By mixing sound with image, the
messages delivered by TV impact and persuade receivers more quickly and accurately.

Radio

Oral message transmission system. Its messages are transmitted through hertzian waves
and can travel several distances in a short period of time. Its message transmission mode
is simultaneous.

Internet

It is a network of networks, in which information is structured and organized according

to themes and areas. Thus the "search engines" facilitate the work in the delivery and
interpretation of information.

Functions of mass media:

The media influence society considerably, helping to satisfy the needs of the population.
Their functions are:

Inform

They collect and deliver information in a truthful and timely manner about various
world events and different topics of interest. This information seeks to be as objective as
possible.
Educate

They transmit the culture of the different communities; its past, present and future
projections. Technological advances have made it possible to transmit educational
programs in a more attractive way for the community.

Entertain

Society demands entertainment and recreation from the media. Thus, these contribute to
filling spaces of time to rest and have fun. This is one of the functions most developed
by television programs, although it is also present in other media.

Form opinion

The different messages delivered by the media contain the ideology of those who
prepare the information, promoting the formation of opinions among the recipients.
Social media organize and interpret information, facilitating its understanding among
recipients.

Publicity and propaganda

This function is typical of modern societies, due to the economic importance it has, thus
they pursue the purpose of offering and obtaining consumers for the different products
that are offered. In this way, advertising and propaganda finance the different types of
programs presented by the media. Thus they also persuade to adopt attitudes, behaviors
or others.

Remember that the difference between advertising and propaganda is that the former
seeks to sell products or services. The second prevents certain behaviors or situations
and also seeks followers.