ELEMENTS OF MASS COMMUNICATION: AUDIENCE

 

The audience in mass communication refers to the group of people who receive and consume messages transmitted through mass media. Mass media reaches a large, diverse audience, and the intended audience can vary greatly depending on the nature of the message and the channel used. Understanding the audience is crucial in determining the content, tone, and style of the message, and in maximizing its impact and reach.

Here are some examples of audiences in mass communication:

General Public: The general public can encompass a broad and diverse group of people, including individuals from various age groups, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultural backgrounds. News programs, talk shows, and other forms of mass media often target the general public, as do advertisements for products and services that appeal to a wide range of consumers.

Niche Audiences: Mass media can also target specific, niche audiences, such as sports fans, music lovers, or fans of a particular genre or style of entertainment. 

Example:  

(The youth and young adults, who have the most disposable income, are often the target audience for popular culture and marketers often use popular culture to advertise and manipulate their values, mindset, and purchasing behavior.)

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Niche media, such as sports magazines or music channels, cater to these audiences and provide them with content that is specifically tailored to their interests.

Demographic Audiences: Mass media can target specific demographic groups, such as children, teenagers, adults, or seniors, based on factors such as age, gender, and income. Advertisers often use demographic information to target their messages, as do producers of programs and content aimed at specific age groups such as the United States` consumerist values being propagated through the mass media, or Japan`s anime and J-pop industry playing a significant role in propagating Japanese culture and attracting global audiences.

Geographic Audiences: Mass media can target specific geographic areas, such as a particular city, region, or country, based on the location of the intended audience. Regional newspapers, local radio and television stations, and other forms of mass media are often tailored to the specific needs and interests of geographic audiences. 

Example:

(The impact of popular culture on the economy is significant and fluid and it is constantly enticing consumers with new goods and keeping the market vibrant.)

The audience is a crucial component of mass communication and plays a key role in shaping the nature and content of the messages transmitted through mass media. Understanding the intended audience is essential to effectively transmitting messages and maximizing the impact and reach of mass communication. By considering the audience's needs, interests, and preferences, mass media can create content and messages that are both relevant and impactful, ultimately helping to inform and educate the public.

Reference:

Collected from many resources and self rephrased.

Written by:

Shahd Ehab El Sayed Abdelalim Nossir

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