Journalism vs. Mass Communication — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on November 19, 2023
Journalism is the activity of gathering, assessing, and presenting news; Mass Communication encompasses a broader field, disseminating information to a wide audience.
Difference Between Journalism and Mass Communication
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Journalism refers to the process of collecting, writing, and presenting news or news articles in newspapers and magazines or by broadcast. It's the direct channel that ensures citizens remain informed about their world, maintaining its focus on newsworthiness and timeliness. Mass Communication, on the other hand, is the study of how people and entities relay information through mass media to large segments of the population at the same time.
While Journalism is a component of Mass Communication, the latter also includes film, radio, television, and online media. Journalism often seeks to provide accurate information, serving as a check on power, while Mass Communication focuses on the medium and the process by which a message is crafted and disseminated.
Thus, while both Journalism and Mass Communication concern themselves with the conveyance of information, their scope and objectives may differ significantly.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Gathering, assessing, presenting news.
Disseminating information to wide audience.
Primary Focus
News and its newsworthiness.
Medium and process of conveying message.
ADVERTISEMENT
Scope
Narrower, often specialized topics.
Broader, includes various media forms.
Goal
Inform, check on power, uphold democracy.
Engage, entertain, inform a large audience.
Feedback Mechanism
Often immediate through readers/viewers.
Can be immediate or delayed, more generalized.
Compare with Definitions
Journalism
The production and distribution of news content.
Modern journalism relies heavily on technology for news dissemination.
Mass Communication
A discipline that explores mediums like TV, radio, and the internet.
Mass communication techniques are continually evolving with technology.
Journalism
The practice of gathering and reporting news.
The essence of journalism is ensuring the public is informed.
Mass Communication
The interaction between sources, channels, and audiences.
The success of mass communication often hinges on understanding audience preferences.
Journalism
A field ensuring public awareness of current events.
Good journalism prioritizes accuracy over speed.
Mass Communication
The process of conveying messages through mass media.
Television is a dominant medium in mass communication.
Journalism
The collecting, writing, editing, and presenting of news or news articles.
Mass Communication
A field studying effective broadcasting of information.
Scholars in mass communication examine the impact of media on society.
Journalism
Material written for publication or broadcast as news
"the anonymous journalism he wrote from Washington" (Garry Wills).
Mass Communication
The dissemination of information to a vast audience.
Mass communication technologies have transformed how we consume content.
Journalism
The activity or profession of being a journalist.
Journalism
The aggregating, writing, editing, and presenting of news or news articles for widespread distribution, typically in electronic publications and broadcast news media, for the purpose of informing the audience.
Journalism
The style of writing characteristic of material in periodical print publications and broadcast news media, consisting of direct presentation of facts or events with an attempt to minimize analysis or interpretation.
Journalism
The keeping of a journal or diary.
Journalism
The periodical collection and publication of current news; the business of managing, editing, or writing for, journals, newspapers, magazines, broadcasting media such as radio or television, or other news media such as distribution over the internet; as, political journalism; broadcast journalism; print journalism.
Journalism is now truly an estate of the realm.
Journalism
The branch of knowledge that studies phenomena associated with news collection, distribution, and editing; a course of study, especially in institutions of higher learning, that teaches students how to write, edit, or report news.
Journalism
Newspapers and magazines collectively
Journalism
The profession of reporting or photographing or editing news stories for one of the media
Journalism
A profession of unveiling the truth and upholding democracy.
Many are drawn to journalism due to its potential to enact change.
Journalism
A medium to hold power accountable.
Through journalism, several corrupt officials have been exposed.
Common Curiosities
What mediums are included under mass communication?
Mass communication includes mediums like TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, and the internet.
How does mass communication differ from journalism?
Mass communication encompasses a broader field, including various media forms, whereas journalism is about news reporting.
Can a journalist work in the field of mass communication?
Yes, journalism is a subset of mass communication, and many journalists work in broader mass media fields.
What is the primary focus of journalism?
Journalism primarily focuses on gathering, assessing, and presenting news.
Why is journalism often called the "fourth estate"?
Journalism is termed the "fourth estate" due to its influential role in checking power and maintaining democracy.
How has technology impacted mass communication?
Technology has revolutionized mass communication, making information dissemination faster, more interactive, and accessible.
How do ethics play a role in journalism?
Ethics in journalism ensure accuracy, fairness, and integrity in news reporting.
Is advertising a part of mass communication?
Yes, advertising is a form of mass communication intended to promote products or services.
Are bloggers and influencers practicing journalism?
Some bloggers and influencers may practice forms of journalism, but not all adhere to its traditional standards and ethics.
What's the role of feedback in mass communication?
Feedback helps in assessing the effectiveness of the message and refining future communication efforts.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Craft vs. Fine Art
Next Comparison
Catholic Bible vs. King James BibleAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
