At the beginning of the 21st century, media have become an integral part of everyday life. With the advance of technology and development of media, print media, television, internet and mobile technologies have made a huge impact on people’s lives.
Print media remains one of the most popular forms of media today. Newspapers, periodical magazines, posters, leaflets and books are common forms of print media. It has certain advantages over other media because a person can access it anytime, anywhere. Newspapers are the most commonly used form of print media as they provide information from all around the world. They also contain what is going on in the local and regional areas. Readers are updated about current affairs and gain knowledge about their preferred fields. Other print media sources like magazines and books provide an array of topics which a person may not find in the newspaper. Similarly, posters and leaflets act as the advertisement form of print media, where people become aware of particular products or services.
Print media have certain tangible qualities which set them apart from other mediums and makes them a preferable choice. Firstly, as it is on print, information cannot be easily altered. It also allows still images, photos, graphs and drawings to be included along with text which can be helpful in developing a better understanding of the topic. Moreover, the material is always there to be referred back to when needed. Print media can also be used as a form of publicity among the target audience.
Print media has its disadvantages as well. For starters, it can become quite expensive as printing costs are very high. Moreover, changes in the content can only be made after the material has been printed. There is a risk of errors being made in the material and readers lack of interaction with the content.
In today’s digital age, despite its flaws, print media remains as a primary source of news and information for people. Although the cost of production is increasing and people prefer digital media, print media is still remarkably popular among readers for its reliability and credibility. It has a distinct identity among its users and remains one of the oldest forms of media.