The mass media is a diversified collection of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass media. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets.   Wikipedia. (2018, November 2018). Mass media. Retrieved from wikipedia.org

African communication system is an indigenous/traditional way in whichtl messages,information,orders and ideas were conveyed between the African people before The introduction of the western Media (mass media). The mass media was considered to be an alien media because of its founders(western) its introduction to Africa has however revolutionalised the African communication system in many ways which will be highlighted soon but before that I'll like to discuss some of the ways Africans communicated.

The most famous way in which the African people communicated was through the Town Crier's, these were people/ messengers who conveyed messages to people by ringing a gong,bell or beating a drum they carried and then shout out  their message to the people in the community and after this is done they go to another community to carry out the same process. This town Crier's gets their information from the king, elders, chiefs or family heads in the community.

Another way the African people conveyed their message was through their dressing, they dressed in different attires depending on the message they want to convey to the people, for instance a woman who just lost her husband will wear black all trough to pass a grieving message around, unlike the widow colourful dresses could be worn to convey a message of happiness or celebration.

There are however other numerous ways the African people communicated.

    The introduction of the mass media to the African people have however revolutionalised the African communication system in different ways, and some of this ways are listed below.

  • The introduction of the mass media improved the speed at which information is passed across the people in Africa by introducing to them radios,television, newspaper e.t.c
  • Introduction of the mass media to the African people brought about unity in the African countries and the African Continent as a whole as it helped in sharing ideas,obligations and opinions better and faster and increased the limit of the African communication system.
  • The mass media increased the literacy level of africans as it requires extensive communication and literacy skills to operate media machines
  • The mass media widened their communication capacity thereby increasing the limit through which information can be passed across in Africa

The above listed are the benefits and impact of the mass media in the African communication system.



Course code:MCN 104, African communication system

Assignment.

Delta state university, mass communication department 


Published by Campbell David comfort