Information dissemination is the means by which facts are distributed to the public at large. The means by which people and various organizations distribute information has exploded within the last several decades. Oral and visual communications were the first means humans used to distribute information, followed by written communication. All means of communication stem from these basic means.
Traditional and social media represent the two general form by which humans disseminate information in contemporary society. Traditional media include phones, television, oral communication and print publications. Social media encompasses text messages, microblogs and online news outlets. Improvements in technology have made these outlets increasingly popular and have become the main ways of distributing information because of the speed in which dissemination occurs. Traditional media, while slower, is still an effective way of communication distribution.
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Effective Information Dissemination
Advice Now says that the key to effective distribution of information is the proper matching of the medium to the message. Always adopt a method that will work for your intended audience. That’s why traditional media must be used in some circumstances, even though it is slower than outlets on the internet. Many senior citizens, for example, only use the internet for certain functions, if at all. Therefore, if your audience is seniors, you may need to use traditional outlets such as radio, television and even print newspapers. Sometimes other means of hard copy, such as brochures, are appropriate as giveaways where the targeted audience can read the information at a later date.
Types of Communication for Information
Information used for dissemination can be divided into various types. Not all types of information are relevant to communities as a whole but are of interest to a targeted audience and depend on the audience’s level of education and literacy and problems that may be relevant to them. Practical information covers employment opportunities, new products and the like. Referral information involves statistical and quantitative data that may be analyzed to discover trends. Condense information gives the audience a concise picture of the contents of a book, digest or other abstract where comprehensive information is detailed. Repackaged information is a means of explaining technical data so a layperson can easily understand it.
Mass Media is the Most Trusted
Because of the prevalence of internet outlets, mass media is often overlooked as a way to disseminate information. However, for many situations, such as weather alerts, emergencies and such, television, and radio broadcasts provide the most effective means of communications. Mass communications, in particular, has a high degree of trust. As many as 90 percent of people get their information from mass media and indicate that they trust these sources the most. Even though most stories won’t be broadcast on national television, local media outlets are considered a viable route for disseminating crucial information.
One thing is for certain, information dissemination is constantly changing. Communication, as a whole, has changed dramatically in the last 50 years. With additional ways to disseminate information, one could expect that the next 10 years will see additional ways to broadcast information.