ELEMENTS OF MASS COMMUNICATION: NOISE

 

What is Noise in Communication?

Noise in mass communication refers to any interference or distraction that can impair the transmission or reception of a message in the communication process. It can refer to physical barriers, such as noise or static, that disrupt the transmission of a message, as well as psychological barriers, such as a lack of attention or understanding, that impede the reception/channel of a message through touch, Ol factory, gustation, tactile, radio etc.

Here are some examples of noise in mass communication:

Physical Interference: Physical noise, such as static or interference, can disrupt the transmission of a message in the communication process. For example, the reception of a radio or television signal can be impaired by physical barriers, such as buildings or terrain, that interfere with the transmission of the signal.

Psychological Interference: Psychological noise, such as distraction or inattention, can also impair the reception of a message. For example, a person may be less likely to understand or retain a message if they are distracted by other activities, such as reading or watching television, while the message is being transmitted.

Semantic Noise: Semantic noise refers to the confusion or misunderstandings that can arise due to differences in interpretation or meaning between the sender and the receiver. For example, a message may be misinterpreted due to cultural or linguistic differences between the sender and the receiver, as well as mechanical noise (A TV set with snowy picture, a pen running out of ink, and a static filled radio.)

Physiological Noise: Physiological noise refers to physical factors, such as hearing or visual impairments, that can impair the reception of a message. For example, a person with a hearing impairment may have difficulty understanding spoken messages, while a person with a visual impairment may have difficulty reading written messages.

Noise can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of mass communication, by impeding the transmission or reception of a message, and by creating misunderstandings or misinterpretations. It is important to identify and reduce sources of noise in the communication process in order to ensure that messages are effectively transmitted and received.

Grey Area. There are, of course, situations that will fall into a grey area. How large does the audience have to be? How scattered? How heterogeneous? How complex must the organization be? For example, a billboard is constructed on a busy street in a small town. Obviously, this would qualify as machine-assisted communication (a machine was used to print the billboard), but is this example better defined as mass communication?

In conclusion, noise is an important consideration in mass communication, and it can have a significant impact on the transmission and reception of messages. By identifying and reducing sources of noise, it is possible to enhance the effectiveness of mass communication, and to ensure that messages are accurately transmitted and received. By considering factors such as physical and psychological barriers, semantic differences, and physiological impairments, it is possible to develop effective strategies for reducing noise in mass communication, and to ensure that messages are effectively communicated to the public.

Reference:

Collected from a bunch of websites and self rephrased.

Written by:

Shahd Ehab El Sayed Abdelalim Nossir

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