What is media and what does it do?

These days the word ‘media’ covers any means of communication that reaches a large number of people. However, the word is simply the plural form of the Latin word ‘medium’. Two hundred years ago, it was applied to the printed press, but is now applied to newspapers, magazines, television, cinema, the arts, radio and the Internet.

In all countries of the world, the media is a powerful entity. Interpreting the news, whether in the newspapers or on television, isn’t always completely fair and impartial. Because of this, it’s perhaps not surprising that in any coup or revolution, taking control of the media is of major importance.

The history of early media

Although public bulletins have been around since Roman times, the first formal newspapers were first introduced in the 17th century. Still published to this day, The London Gazette first appeared in 1665, and claims to be the oldest British paper still in existence.

In the late 19th century, advances in wireless technology led to the eventual establishment of regular radio broadcasts. In the UK, the BBC, the world’s first public broadcasting organisation, was established in 1922. To this day, it remains respected throughout the world.

Televised media and the 21st century

The first significant television broadcasts were made in the 1920s, and the medium has since become the most pervasive of all. News, sport and entertainment are among the most popular applications, and in most developed countries there is a TV in virtually every home.