CHAPTER- THREE

Media of Communication
Media of Communication
 Understanding media of communication is important in the
communication process. No communication can take place
without the use of any media. If you have an important
message to be sent to the desired receiver, you cannot it
unless you find any way or device, which will carry the
message. Hence media is the carriers through which
information flows. After encoding is over, the encoded
message is placed into such media for transmission towards
the receiver. Therefore, the media of communication may be
defined as any means used for transmitting a message from
the source to the destination. It acts simply as a carrier of
encoded message.
Media of communication
The media of communication usually used are :
 Written communication

 Oral communication

 Face-to- face communication.

 Visual communication.

 Audio-visual communication.

 Computer-based communication.

 Silence.
Written Communication
Written Communication :
 A message communicated in a written from is known as written

communication. Definitely it is word based communication and

is always put into writing and generally used when the receiver
is at a distance or when a permanency of records in needed.
 According to Prof. Rajendra Pal, “Everything that has to be

written and transmitted in the written form falls in the area of

written communication.

 Written communication includes letters, circulars, memos,

telegrams, reports, forms and questionnaires, manuals etc.
Written Communication
Merits of written communication:
 It is accurate and precise.

 It is a permanent record.

 It is a legal document.

 It facilitates the assignation of responsibilities.

 It has a wide access.

 It facilitates better control.

Written Communication
Limitations:
 It is time consuming.

 It is costly

 Quick clarification is not possible

 Delayed feedback.
Oral Communication
Oral communication :
 When communication takes place with words of mouth,

it is called oral communication. In oral communication

spoken words are used to express meaning. In this
system of communication, messages are exchanged
between a communicator and a communicate directly
through face to face conversation or group discussion. It
may also occur through telephone call, voice over
internet, radio, television, group discussions, meetings,
conferences and seminars etc.
Oral Communication
Merits of Oral Communication:
 Oral communication saves time.

 Oral communication saves money also.

 Oral speech is a more powerful means of persuasion

and control.
 Quick feedback.

 Complete understanding.

 It is very much flexible.

 Absence of strict formality

Oral Communication
Limitations:
 Oral communication is not possible if the communicator

and the receiver are far removed from each other and no
mechanical devices are available to connect them.
 Lengthy Messages are not suitable for oral transmission.

 No legal validity.

 Inaccuracy.

 Possibilities of conflicts and misunderstandings.

 Leakage of secret information.

 Delayed decisions.
Face-to-Face Communication
Face-to-Face communication :
 It may appear to be identical with oral communication. But,
however, some differences are there between oral and face-to-face
communication and that may be made clear if we visualize certain
situations in which the two get distinguished. Telephonic
conversation, voice over internet, voice mail etc. are oral but not
face-to-face communication. The prime minister of Japan and
Bangladesh greeting each other with a smile and warmly shaking
hands are engaged in face-to-face communication, although, for
want of a common language, their communication cannot be called
as oral. In most other cases, of course, face-to-face communications
are oral.
Face-to-Face communication
Merits:
 Facial expressions and gestures help to

communicate better and effective.

 Very suitable for discussions.

Limitations:
 Unsuitable for large organizations.

 Unsuitable for large gatherings.

 Ineffective if the listener is inattentive.

Visual Communication
Visual Communication :
 Communication through visible things can be termed as visible

communication. Facial expressions and gestures, printed

pictures, posters, slides, film strips, etc, fall under visual
communication.
 Communication through such visuals is very much effective

because it is sure and instantaneous. No words are uttered, no

signs made, and yet the message gets across.
 But visible communication alone is not enough. It can be used

to transmit very elementary and simple ideas, orders, and

warnings. It can be effectively used only in combination with
other media.
Advantages of Visual Communication

 Effective for illiterate receiver: If the receivers are illiterate, the visual
communication will be more effective to exchange information. They
can easily understand the information that is presented visually.

 Helps in oral communication: Visual techniques can be used with

oral communication. Oral communication becomes more meaningful
if graphs, pictures and diagrams are used with it.

 Easy explanation: Everyone can explain the meaning of it very easily.

Easy explanation has made the visual techniques more popular.

 Simple presentation: Complex information, data and figures can be

easily presented very simply on graphs, pictures and diagrams.
Advantages of Visual Communication

 Helps in quick decision: Visual communication

helps to take quick decision. So management
prefers visual techniques to communicate with
others.
 Popular: Visual communication is very much
popular because people do not like much speech
and long explanation rather than a chart of a
diagram.
 Others: Artful presentation, Ads impact to the
information, quicker understanding.
Disadvantages of Visual Communication

 Costly: The visual methods of communication are more

costly than those of other methods. To draw maps, charts,
diagram is costly. That is why only large company or
organization can use this technique.
 Complex presentation: Sometimes visual presentation of
information becomes complex. The receivers cannot
understand the meaning of the presentation.
 Incomplete method: This technique is considered as an
incomplete method. Visual presentation is not sufficient to
communicate effectively and clearly but also it can be
successfully used with oral communication.
Disadvantages of Visual Communication

 Wastage of time: Sometimes visual techniques take

much time to communicate. Whereas
oral communication takes no time to exchange
information.
 Problem for general readers: General people are not
prefers to communicate through visual communication
with others. Sometimes it cannot create an impression
upon people or listeners. It is less influential and cannot
be used everywhere.
 Others: Ambiguity, situational problem, delays in taking
decision.
Audio Visual Communication
Audio-visual Communication :
 Audio-visual communication that makes use of telecasts,

short films on the cinema screen and video tapes is a

powerful medium of communication. It is a combination
of sight and sound. It may make use of the written word
also.
 Audio-visual communication is most suitable for mass

publicity, mass propaganda and mass education. Large

business houses frequently make use of this technique to
educate their workers and to popularise their products.
Computer-Based Communication
Computer based communication :
 Computer technology has dramatically changed the

landscape of business communication today. It is fast

annihilating the barriers of time and space and the concept
of our world turning into small global village now appears
to be a distinct and near possibility. For it is now possible
to communicate instantaneously with people inhabiting the
remotest places possible.
 The fax, voice mail, E-mail, cellular phones, telephone

answering machines, video conferences, etc, is some of the

computer-based media of communication.
Computer-Based Communication
Advantages of computer technology:
 The quickest means of communication.

 Space no longer a barrier to communication.

 Video conferencing can replace personal meetings.

 Better means of keeping permanent record of valuable and

bulky data.
 World-wide web as a publishing platform.

Limitations:
 Uncertain legal validity.

 Fear of undesirable leakage.

 The virus malady

Silence
Silence :
 We do not communicate through words, signs and signals alone, we
communicate through silence also. “Silence is more eloquent than
words” is not a meaningless adage. It is not unusual to come across a
situation in which nothing can express one’s response so effectively
as silence. A Youngman proposes to the girl he loves; the girl lowers
her head and a faint blush appears on her face, but she does not utter
even a word. Her message has been communicated. No words would
have communicated the message so effectively as her silence.
 An employee requests his boss for a raise in his salary and the boss
remains silent; it signifies refusal. Disapproval, anger, resentment,
lack of interest are other responses that can be effectively
communicated through silence.
Difference between Oral & Written
Communication
BASIS FOR ORAL COMMUNICATION WRITTEN
COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION
Meaning Exchange of ideas, information Interchange of message,
and message through spoken opinions and information
words is Oral Communication. in written or printed form
is Written Communication.
What is it? Communication with the help of words Communication with the help of
of mouth. text.

Literacy Not required at all. Necessary for

communication.
Transmission of Speedy Slow
message
Proof No record of communication is Proper records of
there. communication are
present.
Feedback Immediate feedback can be given Feedback takes time.
Revision before delivering Not possible Possible
the message?
Receipt of nonverbal cues Yes No
Probability of Very high Quite less
misunderstanding
Cost Low cost High cost
Thank You