Comm chapter 4

Functions of Print Media

Transmission of culture, diffusion of ideas and knowledge, and entertainment.

Transmission of Culture

Allows communication over time and distance, sharing identity, ideas, and understanding of the world.

Diffusion of Ideas and Knowledge

Spreading religion and other ideas through print media.

Affordance

The actions made available by a medium or technology.

Affordances of a Book

Reading, having conversations with others, and sharing common interests.

Books

Compilation of knowledge in a single document considered vital and sometimes sacred.

Monastic Scribes

Specially trained monks who copied religious and classical works using calligraphy.

Johannes Gutenberg

German printer credited with creating the first mechanical printing press around 1440.

Mass Communication

Spreading scientific discoveries and religious beliefs through printed materials.

Cheaper and Smaller Books

Includes dime novels, mass-market paperbacks, print-on-demand, and ebooks.

Current Book Industry Issues

Mergers and consolidations, rise of online booksellers, and the changes in sales distribution.

Sales and Readership of Books

Textbooks are the largest portion of sales, with bestsellers boosting revenue.

Distinctive Functions of Newspapers

Surveillance, informing the public of important events.

Local Newspapers

Serve geographic communities by monitoring local institutions like government and education.

National Newspapers

Major publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

Origins of Newspapers

Emerging from commercial and partisan press, evolved to widespread advertising models.

Golden Age of Newspapers

Period from the 1830s to 1930, characterized by the penny press and the rise of advertising.

Joseph Pulitzer

Acquired New York World in 1833, promoting a crusading style of journalism.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalist news characterized by exaggerated headlines and reliance on illustrations.

Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970

Aimed at preserving editorial diversity amidst rising marketing influences.

Outlook for Newspapers

Trends include outsider executives, need for digital subscriptions, and local coverage importance.

Functions of Magazines

Surveillance, correlation, entertainment, marketing, and in-depth topic coverage.

19th Century Magazines

Helped shape a national identity in young America.

Current Magazine-Industry Issues

Specialized magazines competing with TV, and consolidation leading to fewer general-interest publications.

Sales and Readership of Magazines

Shift towards online editions and the short lifespan of new magazine titles.

Outlook for Magazines

Increased reading from larger screens and high-resolution content despite environmental concerns.