massemedia

Massemedia, or mass media, refers to institutions and processes that communicate information, entertainment, and opinion to broad audiences. It encompasses print media (newspapers, magazines), broadcast media (radio, television), film, and online media (news sites, blogs, social platforms).

Its primary functions include informing the public, shaping opinions, reflecting and transmitting culture, enabling public discussion, and supporting advertising and commerce. Mass media can also serve as a watchdog, a forum for debate, and a record of events.

Historically, mass media emerged with the spread of literacy and the printing press, expanded through the rise of radio and television, and transformed profoundly with the internet and mobile devices. Digital convergence has integrated multiple channels, enabling rapid distribution, interactivity, and user-generated content, which in turn has changed news gathering, entertainment, and advertising.

Structure and regulation of massemedia vary by country but typically involve ownership patterns that influence content, public service versus commercial models, professional codes of ethics, and legal frameworks addressing defamation, privacy, copyright, and antitrust concerns. Theoretical concepts such as gatekeeping, agenda-setting, framing, and the two-step flow describe how information moves from sources to audiences and how public priorities are shaped.

Impact and critique of mass media focus on its power to inform and mobilize, legitimize or challenge authorities, and shape cultural norms, while also raising concerns about bias, sensationalism, misinformation, and surveillance. In the digital era, platform economies, algorithmic curation, and user engagement continue to redefine the reach and responsibility of massemedia.