Critical Issues: Chapter 6 (Distinctions)

Question 1

“The Medium is the Message”

Answer 1

A phrase popularized by Marshall McLuhan to refer to the ways that media forms hold meanings apart from their messages.

The medium affects content because it is an extension of our individual bodies (must take the medium into account to evaluate the message)

Question 2

Broadcast

Answer 2

Media that is transmitted from one central point to many different receiving points.

Large, general audience, the masses

Ex. Major sporting events, presidential speeches etc.

Question 3

Narrowcast

Answer 3

A term used to describe the transmission of content to a specific, niche audience.

Offers more choice for channels and programs that appeal to different communities with specific interests/demographics.

Ex. The Food Network

Question 4

Webcast

Answer 4

A media presentation distributed over the Internet using streaming media technology to distribute a single content source to many simultaneous listeners/viewers.

“Broadcasting over the internet”

Ex. Online streaming services