Explain about modern communication mediums.

Internet and satellites are the harbingers of today's fast-expanding digital communication network. Information and Communication Technology (IT) is an important driving force for the success of today's communication. Telecommunication facilities, especially the internet has significantly contributed to the development of communication between countries in different continents. The development of services like e-banking has increased the pace in which transactions are carried out around the world. Today, the world is just a click away. Information is being transmitted in seconds, and the world has shrunk inside our hands. Any information can be accessed via the internet and communication has become highly centralised though satellites. Information revolution through digital means like mobile phones and social media has also expanded the communication network between counties.

The major modern means of communication are:

• Phone- The development of telephones have been an important step in the improvement of communication facilities. Telephones have enabled the transmission messages from one place to another without any time lag. The technological revolution has also resulted in a mobile phone revolution from basic telephones to wireless and now to cellular phones and smartphones.

• E-mail- The development of internet services worldwide has resulted in the growth of e-mails for the transmission of messages. It is the fastest means of sending information. Within seconds, a bulk of information and messages can be communicated to different people in different parts of the world.

• Instant messages- It is an ad-hoc service of mobile phones. With this function, we can text the message that we want to convey to the person through the mobile. When we send the text message the message will be delivered within seconds. It is provided by all the social media platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram etc.

• Newspapers- Newspapers are used for communicating to a large volume of people at a time. Newspaper developed with the invention of the printing press. Even though the newspaper is the traditional means of communication, even now it has great relevance everywhere in the world. The local newspaper is the key sources that can be relied upon for the information of both the local area and the global arena. Before the advent of the internet, it had a major importance in society. Classified advertisement and important public notices are important materials of the newspaper.

• Television- TV has a wide range and influence on the public. It is one of the modern means of communication which has wider accessibility. Any message communicated through TV will reach to the mass audience within a short span of time. Big corporate companies promote their advertisement on TV. Advertisement through the TV is cost-effective because only one advertisement can be played multiple times which will influence the audience. Moreover, with the advent of digitalisation, many companies are providing cost fewer connections which have increased the accessibility of TV to the general public.

• Video calls- These were promoted after the development of the internet. Skype was the harbinger of video calls. It can be used by both individuals for their personal uses and corporates and firms for video conferences and meetings.

• Social media- It is an important means of communication in today's world. It has gained major importance in society through the popularisation of internet facilities. Any message communicated through social media platforms will reach to the mass audience within a short span of time. Twitter and Facebook are the major social media platforms.