Print, Radio, TV and Online media: strengths and weaknesses
The table below shows how a print, radio, television and online media materials and programmes are being used and perceived by audience. Each type of mediums has its own strengths and weaknesses.
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Comparison of Media Types: Strengths and Weaknesses |
**Comparison of Media Types: Strengths and Weaknesses**
**Printed Medium**
- Strengths:
- Distributed daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or quarterly.
- Deep, extensive, and analytical coverage.
- Weaknesses:
- Limited to cities and easily accessible areas.
- Expensive and requires a convenient place to read.
**Audio Medium**
- Strengths:
- Wide reach including remote areas.
- Convenient to listen at home, work, or on the move.
- Weaknesses:
- Tends to cover important events and happenings immediately.
- May not receive enough attention from listeners.
**Audio-Visual Medium**
- Strengths:
- Covers events and happenings immediately.
- Deep, extensive, and analytical coverage.
- Weaknesses:
- Limited reach depending on availability.
- Expensive and generally needs a convenient place to watch.
**Audio-Visual, Text, and Graphic Medium**
- Strengths:
- Covers events and happenings immediately.
- Provides deep, extensive, and analytical coverage.
- Weaknesses:
- Limited reach as per availability.
- Expensive and generally needs specified places to use.
**Audience Characteristics**
- **Printed Medium:**
- Only literate people can take the message.
- Reading is the main activity, and the reader pays more attention.
- **Audio Medium:**
- Both literate and illiterate people can understand.
- Listening is the main activity, but attention may vary.
- **Audio-Visual Medium:**
- Not necessary to be literate, but understanding may vary.
- Seeing and listening are the main activities, with viewers paying more attention.
- **Audio-Visual, Text, and Graphic Medium:**
- Requires literacy and familiarity with technology.
- Reading, seeing, and listening are the main activities, with users paying more attention.
**Attractiveness and Presentation**
- **Printed Medium:**
- Attracted by text display, photos, sketches, and graphics.
- Punctuation marks aid understanding.
- **Audio Medium:**
- Attracted by voice, ambience, sound effects, and music.
- Punctuation marks are acoustically emphasized.
- **Audio-Visual Medium:**
- Attracted by visuals, ambience, voice, sound effects, and music.
- Body language of presenters also carries meaning.
- **Audio-Visual, Text, and Graphic Medium:**
- Attracted by features of all print, audio, and visual media.
**Flexibility and Accessibility**
- **Printed Medium:**
- Reader determines the reading time and can select items.
- Can have a fairly good idea of content beforehand.
- **Audio Medium:**
- Listeners must adhere to scheduled program times.
- **Audio-Visual Medium:**
- Viewers must adhere to scheduled program times.
- **Audio-Visual, Text, and Graphic Medium:**
- Users can access content at their convenience unless presented live.
**Repetition and Speed**
- **Printed Medium:**
- Reader can repeat unclear parts at will.
- **Audio Medium:**
- Listener hears the story only once unless repeated by the station.
- **Audio-Visual Medium:**
- Viewer sees the story only once unless repeated by the station.
- **Audio-Visual, Text, and Graphic Medium:**
- User can repeat the story unless presented live.
This comparison provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different media types, along with considerations for audience characteristics and preferences.
(Developed from Schulze, 2001: 25 and Paudyal, 2060 BS: 10-11)
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