What is the media?
Where we get our information about the world is very important. We find out about events through print, broadcast and online media.
How has the media changed over time?
A long time ago, the only way people could get information was by hearing it from other people. This was sometimes a problem:
- the message could get mixed up along the way
- it took a long time for everyone to hear the same news
The invention of the printing press meant that news could be duplicated and shared with lots of people at once.
- 1400s: the invention of printing presses meant that news could be written down and the exact same version could be shared with lots of people.
- 1896: the radio was invented, which meant people could hear the news at the same time.
- 1954: the BBC launched its first ever television news programme. This meant people could not only hear the news but see pictures of world events in their own homes for the first time.
- 1989: Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web which allowed people from across the globe (including newspapers and broadcasters) to share information on web pages.
Richard Baker reads the BBC News in its first ever television news programme in March 1954
We still get news from traditional media sources (newspapers, television and radio) but we find out lots from newer sources like the world wide web and social media.