Communicating with large audiences takes a distinct set of skills and a working knowledge of how advertising campaigns, media cycles and the other factors can change the way that people relay, receive and understand messages. Mass communication is an incredibly relevant and important subsection of communication studies. The study of mass media is particularly important with the growing availability of Internet-ready computers and cell phones. Mass communication encompasses all forms of communication that rely on large-scale media, and as these communication techniques evolve, it is important to stay informed about new mass communication trends and concepts. In this section of our blog, we will look at the latest mass communication research, including studies, experiments, scientific surveys, theories and critical analyses.
A study examining Americans’ interest in the rumor that Barack Obama is a Muslim shows that the mainstream media – particularly television – still influences the topics that engage the public. Researchers found that online searches about the Obama-Muslim rumor spiked on days that the topic was heavily covered on national television networks, and that searches declined on days when there was less coverage.