Essay on Mass Media in Modern Nepal

This century is the era of information and technology. ‘mass media’ can be defined as the organized means of communication that recorded and transmit information, messages, etc. rapidly to large, diversified and geographically scattered audiences simultaneously. Common mass media are newspapers, magazines, radios and televisions. These media have been serving the people and the nation significantly in Nepal.

Mass media in Nepal can be categorized into two types: print media and electronic. Books, newspapers, magazines brochures, prospectuses, pamphlets, posters, banners, etc. are print media. Among them, the first three are more important than others. Similarly, radios, televisions, the Interest are common electronic media substantially functioning in Nepal. In modern Nepal, the newspaper, the radio, the television and the Internet have been widely used.

Mass media have been playing a vital role to gear up the pace of modern development and to accelerate the speed of well-cultured and aptly civilized human society. They both directly and indirectly educate the people and ultimately promote public awareness that significantly enhances socio-economic and socio-cultural aspects of the society. Some of the mass media provide entertainment to the people. They also play the role of the agents of advertisement that is significant to enhance economic status of the country. Through the process of cultural transmission, they contribute to expanded and well-cultured socialization. To some extent, mass media have supported the nation to assuage the problem of unemployment.

One of the major functions of mass media is to provide the information and education belonging to multiple areas of human activities to the people. The information of the events, programs, national policies, national and international affairs, disasters and so on is broadcast or published through mass media. The information about current issues are very important for the people to choose the proper way to adjust in the days to come. Information is mainly conveyed to the people in terms of news, reporting, interviews, editorials and so on. Similarly, the news on the radio and the television provides fresh information on the current issues to the people. The pieces of information are usually based on the factual events/phenomena. Mass media play the role of effective means of informal education. Mass media such as newspapers, magazines, radios, televisions, etc. provide education to the people through various programs, writings and so on. The writings on a balanced diet, health education, physical exercise, etc. service a number of educative functions. They definitely promote public awareness educating the people. They also contribute to the transmission of knowledge. Mass media function as the tools of mass communication. Heterogeneous audiences are communicated together by various tools of mass media.

In addition to information, education and communication, different mass media provide entertainment to the people. For instance, the film primarily aims at providing entertainment to the people through action, songs, dances, music, satires and so on. Similarly, most of the means of mass communication provision some sections for entertainment. The newspaper, magazine, radio, TV, and film candidly publish or broadcast or telecast the programs in order to provide entertainment to the audiences.

Furthermore, most of the means of mass communication are interrelated to advertisement. Mass media also aim at advertising some sorts of product, services, opportunities, and so on. We can see many advertisements in newspapers and magazines. Similarly, many commercial advertisements are broadcast or telecast from the broadcast media. The consumers, on the other hand, are informed about the products and services available in the market; and ultimately they can fulfill their needs or demands.

Mass media function as the tools to maintain linkage, transmit the culture, warn the people and raise public voice. They are the connectors that maintain linkage between the different elements of the society. For instance, mass media establish the relation between the produces and consumers. Mass media function in bringing cultural transmission as the audience are influenced when they watch or enjoy the cultural phenomena on radio, TV or newspapers. Different mass media  warn the people about the possible dangers from epidemics, natural disasters, war and so on. People can get the information on time and apply suitable preventive measures and precautions. Different mass media publish, broadcast and telecast the public voice that may play the role of feedback to the government and non-government organizations. They can modify their polices to boost up their organizations according to voice of the people. They also play the role of the watchdog.

Despite significant roles of mass media in modern Nepal, they have some weakness which are to be removed in the days to come. Some of the media have not followed the ethics of journalism; they are not fair. For instance, they are fond to be supporting particular political parties and principles. They cannot transmit the news which own ABC (Accuracy Balance and Credibility) properties. Common people are likely to be misinformed by these media. These media are expected to obey the norms and values of sound journalism in Nepal.

Mass median in modern Nepal have contributed to the enhancement of the nation in spite of few weakness in practice.

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