Blog Post #6

Lecture 8: Radio

Source: First Preston Ht

Week 8 lecture was impressive however the lesson period was lengthy and draggy. The videos and records helped us to have a better understanding towards the lecture. Everyone’s interest escalated in seconds, as the videos were very informative and captivating.

During the great depression in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, radio flourished because it was the only media that provided entertainment without a charge. Due to the development of mass media, we have more choices now but most of the medias' available these days main interest is to earn profits.

Source: Ientrymail

It’s rather interesting how an individual’s podcast can have such a massive impact on the society. Ie- Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds which was way long time ago. This proves that minority can be influential towards the society through the power of radio platform yet it might cause social panic due to alarming news.

Growth of radio has been exponential in proportion to the size of audience. Today’s generation would rather create their own playlist that consists of their favorite tunes than listen to music on radio that has various types of genre of different generations.

Source: Access Consciousness

In this digital era, radio is considered as old fashioned. Despite television, Internet and electronic devices, radio is still sustaining its place in the media because there are still high statistics of audience listening to it. For example whilst commuting, radio is rated to be the preferred companion. It is a wireless mass media communication. Most of the people listen to radio in the car for companionship. Therefore, radio still remains one of the predominant sources of communication to vast majority of people all around the world.

Source: Telegraph

People listen to radio in number of occasion and reasons. One of the most common one is when they’re stuck in traffic. Besides, there are people there to get free tickets for concerts or vacations. There are also people who like to join competition from specific FM channels and win a large sum of money. However, it is not as influential as it used to be, because everyone is aware and updated about global news that is spread within seconds via the Internet. We have more choices of media; this is what makes the radio less demanding compared to others.

Source: Magic Dreams Media

Although radio is in less demand now, it still has the ability to entertain everyone regardless of his or her age sex, income or even educational level. For additional knowledge, FM (frequency modulations) produces better sound quality than AM (amplitude modulation). We learned that there are different formats and skills in every station. For examples, the music format: Hitz.FM. Black and Ethnic formats: aimed more towards a certain race and nationality. Format Homogenization which are more into country sounds. Furthermore, there are various news and speech formats and skills on radio station.

Source: Nick Piggott

After the lecture, we came to realize that this platform will not last long and this will bring about a  big knock on the effect of the service industry which may cause higher unemployment rate. Many are training to work in the broadcasting industry however with this crisis happening at present, the alternative option shall be considered. This takeaway may not be as relevant however it really hit us hard that the world is extremely dynamic, constantly changing, innovating, and improving for the better. This has its ups and its downs of its own. The radio was reported to be launched in the 19^th century. In only two century, this medium is already facing it’s end due to our ever growing technological era that is acting as a catalyst for many industries.