Media of Communication Written communication Oral communication Visual

Media of Communication

� Written communication � Oral communication � Visual communication � Audio-visual communication � Computer-based communication

� Letters, circulars, reports, minutes, questionnaires, forms etc. q Advantages: � Accurate and precise � Permanent record � Legal document � Can reach a large number of people simultaneously.

� Helps to fix responsibility q Disadvantages: � Time consuming � Expensive � Quick clarification not possible

� Face to face conversation, conversation over the telephone, interviews, meeting, speeches etc. q Advantages � Save money and time � More forceful � Convey shades of meaning � Immediate feedback and clarification

� Can be informal q Disadvantages � Mechanical devices � Unsuitable for lengthy messages � No legal validity � Chances of misunderstanding

� Tables and charts, graphs, diagrams, posters, slides etc. q Advantages: � Convey complex ideas and relationships quickly. � Reduce the burden on the audience to figure out how the pieces fit.

q Disadvantages: � Can require artistic skills to design � Require some technical skills to create. � Require more time to create than equivalent amount of text.

� Television, cinema, video tapes etc. � It is a combination of sight and sound. � Retain messages much longer than other means. � Suitable for mass publicity, mass education.

� Email, voice mail, video-conferencing etc. q Advantages: � Quickest means of communication � Barrier of space conquered � Video-conferencing replace personal meeting � Storage and retrieval of permanent record become easier.

� World-wide web as a publishing platform q Disadvantages: � Uncertain legal validity � Fear of undesirable leakage � The virus malady