Mass media is a term used to denote, as a class, that section of the media specifically conceived and designed to reach a very large audience (typically at least as large as the whole population of a nation state). It was coined in the 1920s with the advent of nationwide radio networks and of mass-circulation newspapers and magazines. The mass-media audience has been viewed by some commentators as forming a mass society with special characteristics, notably atomization or lack of social connections, which render it especially susceptible to the influence of modern mass-media techniques such as advertising and propaganda. It is also gaining popularity in the blogosphere when referring to the mainstream media.

Etymology and usage

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Media (the plural of medium) is a truncation of the term media of communication, referring to those organized means of dissemination of fact, opinion, entertainment, and other information, such as newspapers, magazines, cinema films, radio, television, the World Wide Web, billboards, books, CDs, DVDs, videocassettes, computer games and other forms of publishing. Although writers currently differ in their preference for using media in the singular ("the media is...") or the plural ("the media are..."), the former will still incur criticism in some situations. (Please see data for a similar example.) Academic programs for the study of mass media are usually referred to as mass communication programs. An individual corporation within the mass media is referred to as a Media Institution.

The term "mass media" is mainly used by academics and media-professionals. When members of the general public refer to "the media" they are usually referring to the mass media, or to the news media, which is a section of the mass media.

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Working Animal Welfare: Seeking Sustainable Solutions
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:52:33 -0000
In developing countries, working horses, donkeys, and mules are most often used for heavy labor, whether it be hauling heavy loads of cargo or carrying tourists up and down a mountain. The animals might be suffering from malnourishment, dehydration,...
Horse Genome Sequence Published
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:38:06 -0000
Professors Jim Mickelson, PhD, and Stephanie Valberg, DVM, PhD, of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine are among the authors of "Genome Sequence, Comparative Analysis, and Population Genetics of the Domestic Horse,"...
Researchers Track EHV-5 Incidence, Effects in Europe
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:21:41 -0000
Equine herpesvirus-5, which had previously been reported in horses in the United States, is also present in the European horse population, researchers recently reported. They found the virus in horses without any signs of disease (known as subclinical...
Family that Returned Stolen Horse Gets Replacement
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:05:40 -0000
A 7-year-old girl who had to give up her horse when he was identified as stolen has found a new partner in a 16-year-old gelding rescued from slaughter. Indio has joined his new family. Mackenzie Gully's new horse, named Indio,...
Horse Art Auction Benefits Retired Racehorses
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:08:07 -0000
It's time to find that unique holiday gift and make a tax deductible donation at the same time. ReRun, a 501 (c)(3) Thoroughbred racehorse adoption program, will hold its annual holiday eBay auction of Moneigh paintings Nov. 29 through Dec....
Merck, Schering-Plough Complete Merge
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:48:55 -0000
Merck & Co. Inc. has outlined its global plans following the completion of Merck's merger with Schering-Plough Corporation. "With our merger now complete, we are ready to deliver on the promise of a new Merck built on a foundation...

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(AHN) Update: Hurricane Bill Strengthens Further; Now Category 4 Storm
Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:28:54 -0000
(AHN) - Hurricane Bill continues to intensify in the waters above South America. With sustained wind speeds of 100 miles per hour (160 km/hr), Bill has become a Category 2 storm and is expected to grow stronger over the next two days.
(AHN) Obama Thanks Bill Clinton For North Korea Trip To Gain Journalists' Release
Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:23:45 -0000
(AHN) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday personally thanked former President Bill Clinton for traveling to Pyongyang early this month to secure the release of two American journalists sentenced to prison for "hostile acts." The meeting also served as a briefing by Clinton about the his talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who has defied international sanctions against his nation's nuclear activities.

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