advantages and disadvantages
of principal communications
Media
Module 2
Prepared by
Q Yeard’e
Communications Media

1.
2.
3.
4.
4 types
Written
Oral
Visual
Computerised Telecommunications
Written Communication (WC)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Letter
Memorandum
Report
Abstract
Minutes
Article
Press release
WC advantages
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Provides written record and evidence of
dispatch and receipt;
capable of relaying complex ideas;
provides analysis, evaluation and summary;
disseminates information to dispersed
receivers;
can confirm, interpret and clarify oral
communications;
forms basis of contract or agreement.
WC disadvantages
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Can take time to produce,
can be expensive;
communication tends to be more formal and
distant;
can cause problems of interpretation;
instant feedback is not possible;
once dispatched - difficult to modify
message;
WC disadvantages
1.
does not allow for exchange of opinions
views or attitudes except over period of
time.
Oral communication
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Face-to-face conversation
Interview, Meeting
Oral briefing,Public address
Oral presentation
Telephone call Conference
Training session
etc
OC advantages
1.
2.
3.
Direct medium of communication;
advantages of physical proximity and,
usually, both sight and sound of sender
and receiver;
allows for instant interchange of
opinions views, attitudes —
instantaneous feedback; easier to
convince or persuade;
OC advantages cont’d
1.
allows for contribution and participation
from all present.
OC disadvantages
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
More difficult to hold ground in face of
opposition;
more difficult to control when a number of
people take part;
lack of time to think things out —
quality of decision-making may be inferior;
often no written record of what has been
said;
OC disadvantages
1.
sometimes disputes result over what
was agreed
Visual communication (VC)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Non-verbal communication — expression gestures
posture
Diagram
Chart
Table
Graph
Photograph
VC
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Film slide
Film
Video tape
Model
Mock-up
VC advantages
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Reinforces oral communication;
provides additional visual stimulus;
simplifies written or spoken word;
quantifies — provides ideas in number
form;
provides simulations of situations
illustrates techniques and procedures
provides visual record.
VC disadvantages
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
May be difficult to interpret without
reinforcing written or spoken word;
requires additional skills of comprehension
and interpretation
can be costly and expensive in time to
produce;
may be costly to disseminate or distribute
storage may be more expensive
does not always allow time for evaluation.
Computerised Telecommunications
(CT)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Local/wide area networks
Fax
Telex
Packet switching
Teleconferencing
Computer conferencing/networking
CT advantages
1.
Speed of transmission: WAN
messages, London to Sydney,
Australia in 11 seconds.
CT advantages
1.
Versatility: Fax can transmit text,
number, graphics, artwork and
photographs all on one side of A4 if
need be. Tele-and computer
conferencing provide interpersonal
exchanges visually and via VDU
screens.
CT adv cont’d
3.
Accuracy Instantaneous message-reading
and checking of electronic circuits operating
between sending and receiving equipment
during the transmission of high-speed ‘bits’
of the message in packetswitching of
computer data ensure the message is
accurately received in remote locations.
CT advantages
3.
Feedback/instantaneous exchange:
Cómputerised telecommunications
allow for a virtually simultaneous
exchange of information and
responses.
CT disadvantages
1.
Volume of transmitted data: The volume of
telecommunicated information is increasing
at such a rate that business personnel are
unable to absorb it within relevant time limits
CT disadvantages
1.
Costs: Telecommunicated messages
have billing premiums placed upon
them to pay for the enormous
development and hardware
investments made nationally and
internationally. However, the cost of
fax, telex and communications modems
etc is falling rapidly in an expanding
market.
CT disad. cont’d
3.
Legal implications: Words printed on
paper at source still have a legal
currency that a faxed message does
not (but which telex does!).
CT disdvantages
3.
Instant delivery: The almost
instantaneous delivery of LAN/WAN
Email messages etc can cause upsets
if messages are composed in anger or
are ‘half-baked’ and then dispatched
irretrievably.