Understanding Mass Media Messages and Their Functions

PENIISE

Persuasion, Education, News, Information, Interpretation, Selling, Entertainment.

Programmes

Primary category and Secondary category.

News stories, Special news reports, News analysis, Features, Editorials, Columns, Letters to the editor, Reviews/criticisms, Portraits/personality profiles, Cartoons/comics, Advertisements.

Straightforward and immediate reports of factual, objective, and verifiable events.

In-depth, in-breadth, and background news stories on selected, important and occasional events.

Interpretative reporting on contemporary and important issues in society.

To provide in-depth coverage on specific topics or stories.

To influence readers to adopt the idea or support the brand of the sponsor.

Stories related to a particular news story that provide more specific details about an aspect of that news story.

Colour stories are features written as vivid descriptions of situations, atmospheres, and emotions.

Publications of unabridged transcripts of interviews with selected celebrities, politicians, public figures, and others.

Sponsored messages in newspapers and magazines that call attention to the death of a family member or friend.

Public service announcements about social activities such as weddings, birthdays, naming ceremonies, and parties.

Reports of activities, observations, and experiences of journalists during their professional assignments.

Editorial barbs are short, sharp, witty, often sarcastic comments on current events, while traditional editorials are more formal opinions.

Sponsored messages that highlight and promote special events and achievements in an organization, combining elements of advertisement and editorial.

Advertiser's announcements are organizations' declarations on special occasions, while advertorials promote events and achievements.

Detailed publications that feature more pictures and take up more space than advertorials and advertiser's announcements.

To enhance emotional engagement and entertainment.

Publications of unabridged transcripts of speeches or data from public and private sources.

"Vox populi" means "voice of the people" and refers to standalone reports of interviews conducted on selected members of the public.

News sidebars, colour stories, verbatim interviews, verbatim records, vox pops, photoramas, pin-ups, horoscopes, puzzles, games, witticisms, quotes, short stories, obituaries, social bulletins, experiential notes, editorial barbs, and advertorials.

Features are stories that begin after news stories and serve as a news peg or background to those stories.

Editorials express the corporate opinion on contemporary issues and aim to inform, persuade, and mobilize readers towards social transformation.

Columns are personal opinions of regular specialist writers on dedicated specialized topics.

Letters to the editor serve as feedback mechanisms for readers to express their views, complaints, and commendations on previously published issues.

Digital communication technologies like emailing and messaging platforms have replaced manual submission methods for letters to the editor.

Reviews are objective reports on content, while criticisms are subjective evaluations of that content.

Portraits or personality profiles showcase the lives and achievements of selected celebrities, politicians, public figures, and others.

Cartoons focus on issues in the news, while comics address general human interest topics not necessarily related to current events.

Newsflash, News-extra, Newsreel

To provide analysis and opinions on current events.

Articles that express the corporate opinion on contemporary issues.

A program featuring discussions on various topics.

To gather insights and perspectives from individuals.

A platform for open dialogue on various issues.

In-depth articles and features on various subjects.

In-depth stories that explore specific topics or events.

They provide factual accounts of real-life events or issues.

A dramatized portrayal of real events.

It suggests that classifications of messages are more academic than practical, as messages often contain hybrid elements.

News and current affairs programmes, educational programmes, entertainment programmes.

Women programmes, children programmes, religious programmes.

Newscasts and interviews.

Arbitrarily and informally selected among members of the public.

Experts on the interview topic.

Probability random sampling technique.

Formally analyzed and reported in statistical tools such as tables and diagrams.

A publication of a collection of pictures with relevant captions to report a current event of public significance.

The idolization and commercial exploitation of a supposedly beautiful, sexy, and enchanting girl or woman through the publication of a single picture.

A newspaper and magazine article that forecasts people's future based on their zodiac signs.

Riddles designed to entertain through mental challenges.

Contests that entertain through mental challenges.

Jokes designed to elicit humour among readers.

Quotes by celebrities, politicians, and historical figures that are often philosophical or inspirational.

To entertain readers.

Sponsored messages that call attention to the death of a family member or friend.

Through reports, analyses, and live broadcasts of sporting events.

They serve as a form of entertainment and cultural expression.

A mix of different entertainment formats.

Unique broadcasts covering significant occasions.

To promote products or services to consumers.

Messages intended to inform the public about important issues.

Advertisements for specific shows or channels.

To evaluate and provide feedback on content.

A segment featuring opinions from the general public.

A sermon or religious discourse presented in a broadcast.

A competitive program where participants answer questions or complete tasks for prizes.

Quiz shows focus primarily on answering questions correctly.

A program where listeners can request songs or topics for discussion.

To entertain through animated storytelling and humor.

Educational programs designed to teach specific subjects or skills.

A traditional story that conveys cultural values and lessons.

A theatrical performance combining music, singing, and acting.

A diverse collection of visual content showcasing various subjects.

A fundraising event broadcasted live on television or radio.