COMPARING THE INTERNET AND THE TELEVISION

Mass Media

Mass media exists in diverse forms and tend to cater for diverse audiences. For instance, both television and the internet are forms of mass media with their own differences in audience, information delivery among other aspects. Television is a gadget that is used to relay visual images and audio messages to the audience. It plays a vital role in the modern way of life since it forms the basis through which people get vital information regarding the politics, business, religious among others. It therefore forms part of people’s life in the current society.

The current world can be termed as a  media driven society. In view of this, most people can be able to access television and internet materials easily (Sharon, 2008). For instance, the youth can be able to access the internet from their phones or any other electronic device that supports internet services. In that case, it is undeniable to claim that the media has played a significant role in shaping the culture of the people. This is more pronounced in the case of the television and the internet.

On the other hand, however, the development of the internet at a faster rate tends to bring a lot of competition in relaying of information. The speed of development and spread of the internet is quite incredible. It has become a global system where people can be able to access diverse materials ranging from socializing to businesses. In addition, political materials are also available and can be accessed any time the user needs them (Bruce, 2008). The choice of the two media has been informed by the far-reaching impacts that they have had especially to the morality and the general cultural trends of the population across the globe. Both forms of media are very informative to the general population. They therefore form vital tools through which knowledge is disseminated.

The two forms of media can be compared and contrasted alongside elements such as media violence, cost, function, and security.One of the main differences between the internet and the television is their mode of transmission of information. The mode of transmitting information is a salient feature for both of them because it is one of the factors that the users look into before they decide on the kind of media that they are to use. For a television for instance, the information is passed in a passive way. The audience just accepts the information relayed passively. For example, if there is a television programme that you are to watch, then you have to be there on time. The programmes that are available in the television can only be passively watched. There is no room to express personal views on topical issues that interest you.

However, the internet offers flexibility that most of the other mass media do not. For instance, you can be able to access the internet programmes any time that you want (Bruce, 1999). In addition, the internet offers an interactive session that allows people to be able to use the programmes any time that they want. It is therefore an interactive way of accepting and receiving information. It therefore allows people to use it at their own pleasure.

   The internet can be used to access, download, and watch entertainment materials even those in the television. In addition, it allows users to search for and research for relevant information that is knowledgeable in nature. Furthermore, its users have the capacity to create more information for other users to view, read, or listen to (Sharon, 2008). Contrary, televisions can only be viewed and do not offer the interactive environment that allows the user to create programmes for other people to use.

The cost of accessing the internet and television varies widely across regions. The cost of the internet depends on the region that the user is in as well as its speed. On the other hand, the cost of television services also vary according to the number of channels watched their types and the options available. One of the similarities in cost is that it is increased steadily to cater for the improved technology.

The other concern about the two types of media is the issue of security. On the one hand, the television is more secure than the internet. A large population consumes the information relayed to the user. There is little privacy required in terms of offering security to the users. On the other side however, the internet requires the individuals to have a high degree of privacy as they transact private and confidential matters (Sharon, 2008). There has to be security offered to carry out these transactions. There are instances where there is insecurity in the internet and individuals carrying out private transactions may not do so in private. For example, there are malpractices such as internet hacking. This will act to make private and confidential matters to be known by the public.

In the modern society, the internet has been able to overtake the television in light of its consumers. Therefore, it plays a vital role in either bringing the society together or causing disintegration. The availability of the internet in the modern society makes it a more useful tool in communication than the television. However, its fatal effects cannot also be underestimated as compared to those of the television. From the perspective of the television viewers, there is the ability of the state agencies such as the laws that limit and censor the kind of information relayed by television programmes. On the other side however, the internet offers a global source of uncensored information, which can sometimes lead to corrupting the society (Bruce, 1999).

 There are substantial similarities that can be drawn   from the two media sources. For example, both can be held responsible in accounting for increased crime rates and maladjustments among the population. In television for example, most people especially the youths spend most of their times watching television programmes that are erotic in nature. They are therefore prone to acquire aggressive behaviour through the programmes that they watch in television. According to the behavioral theorists, young minds are likely to acquire aggressive behaviors through watching of aggressive films or images on media.

On the other hand, the internet offers a wide range of erotic and aggressive materials that are likely to lure young minds into possessing aggressive behaviors. Both contribute to media violence. The concept of the mass society traditions has greatly attributed the erosion of cultural values to the development of the media. In this case, the moral actions of an individual are likely to be eroded if they are to watch violent media programmes. They perceive these actions portrayed as normal. They therefore acquire them. Furthermore, those children who spend their time on the internet and television over prolonged period tend to develop addiction. Therefore, both media can be said to be addictive in nature.

In reference to the advantages versus the disadvantages of the two media, there are considerable grounds to believe that the internet is the best media. Firstly, the internet allows people to have interactive sessions something that the television does not. In addition, it helps people to get diverse sources of information something that television does not allow. Furthermore, the internet is a multifaceted information source as compared to the television (Sharon, 2008). However, the television can be advantageous in cases where a person wants to be more private and confidential. The television is more secure than the internet. For example, the internet is likely to be hacked easily thereby relaying private information to the public.

           

                                                                        Works cited
Bruce M. Owen. The Internet Challenge to the Television. Cambridge Mass: Harvard University   Press. 1999.

Sharon Marie Ross. Beyond The Box: Television and the Internet. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishers.2008.