Difference Between Mass Media And Mass Communication

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Senior Executive - Editorial

Updated on Jan 28, 2026 13:43 IST

The terms Mass Media and Mass Communication are often used in the same context, leading to confusion among students. They consider both disciplines as one, whereas in reality there is a huge difference between Mass Media and Mass Communication. Here is a detailed description of the differences between the two to help you solve this problem.

People often use the terms Mass Media and Mass Communication interchangeably. However subtle, there is a difference between the two. Let's learn the difference between mass media and mass communication in this article.

Difference Between Mass Media and Mass Communication - Mass Communication and Mass Media may sound similar and have some commonality, but there are some differences between the two. Where Mass Communication refers to the act of disseminating information to the public, Mass Media refers to the medium or method employed for the dissemination of this information. There are three traditional types of Mass Media – print, broadcast and cinema. Apart from these, with the advent of technology and the Internet, new forms of media and communication are continually being added every now and then. Whereas, Mass Communication is a process in which a person, group or organisation spreads its message through communication. Read further to learn more about the difference between Mass Communication and Mass Media courses.

Table of contents

What is Mass Media?
What is Mass Communication?
Difference Between Mass Media and Mass Communication
Are Mass Media and Mass Communication Interdependent?
Mass Communication Courses and Duration
Mass Media Courses and Duration
Mass Communication Vs Mass Media: Eligibility Criteria
Mass Communication Vs Mass Media: Subjects
Mass Communication Vs Mass Media: Skills Required
Job Options After Mass Communication and Mass Media Courses
Top Colleges for Mass Communication and Mass Media Courses
Important Mass Communication & Mass Media Entrance Exams

What is Mass Media?

Mass Media refers to different channels and platforms like television, radio, newspapers, social media platforms, posters, billboards, etc., used to deliver information to a large audience. There are different types of mass media, such as print media, digital media, broadcast media, outdoor media, and so on.

What is Mass Communication?

Mass Communication is a process used to create, send, receive and analyze messages for a large audience. It includes advertising, news reporting, creating & sharing educational content, etc. The key elements used in mass communication are source, message, medium, receiver, and feedback.

Difference Between Mass Media and Mass Communication

Let us list the differences between the two for a better understanding.

Basis	Mass Media	Mass Communication
Meaning	The channels and technologies used for mass communication.	The process of sharing information with the masses.
Includes	Includes platforms like television, newspaper, internet, radio, etc.	Involves the creation, production and distribution of content.
Focus	The focus is on the tools and technologies employed for information dissemination.	Focuses on the process, the message, the sender, the receiver, etc.
Interaction	Generally, there is one-way interaction.	There can be one-way or two-way interaction.
Audience Feedback	Audience feedback is usually limited and delayed due to one-way communication.	Participants can have direct and real-time interaction.

Are Mass Media and Mass Communication Interdependent?

Yes, mass media and mass communication are interdependent. Mass media offer a platform or channel for mass communication, which helps in delivering a message to the public. On the other hand, mass communication provides a process to share information through mass media platforms. For instance, a news channel uses the process of mass communication, i.e., writing, editing, etc., to impart information through mass media channels such as television, website, etc. So, it can be said that mass media and mass communication, both work together.

Mass Communication Courses and Duration

Tabulated below are some of the popular Mass Communication programmes offered in India along with their duration:

Mass Communication Course Name	Type of Course	Duration
BA in Mass Communication	Undergraduate	3-year
BA in Media Studies	Undergraduate	3-year
Bachelor of Journalism & Mass Communication (BJMC)	Undergraduate	3-year
BA Hons Multi-Media & Mass Communication (BMMMC)	Undergraduate	3-year
BA in Film Making and Mass Communication	Undergraduate	3-year
Masters of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC)	Postgraduate	2-year
PG Diploma in Business Journalism & Corporate Communication (DBJCC)	Postgraduate Diploma	1-year
PhD in Mass Communication	Doctorate Degree	2-year

Mass Media Courses and Duration

Some popular mass media courses are listed in the table below.

Mass Media Course Name	Type of Course	Duration
Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM)	Undergraduate	3-year
BA in Media Studies	Undergraduate	3-year
BA in Media Communication	Undergraduate	3-year
Bachelor's in Media Science	Undergraduate	3-year

Mass Communication Vs Mass Media: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for both Mass Communication and Mass Media courses are similar. Given below are the eligibility standards as per the programme level.

For UG Courses: 10+2 passouts from any stream from a recognised board are eligible to apply. For some universities/ colleges, the eligibility states that a candidate should be a minimum of 17 years of age at the time of admission.
PG Courses: Bachelor's degree holders in any stream from a recognised university are eligible to apply.

Mass Communication Vs Mass Media: Subjects

Tabulated below are the differences in topics studied across all Mass Media and Mass Communication specialisations.

Mass Communication Subjects	Mass Media Subjects
Introduction to Journalism	Effective Communication Skills
Contemporary Issues	Political Concepts and the Indian Political System
Basics of Design and Graphic	Introduction to Computers
Corporate Communication	Principles of Marketing & Management
Media and Human Rights	Mass Media Research
Media Laws and Ethics	Organizational Behavior
Photography	Radio and Television
Media Management	Advanced Computers
Introduction to Advertising	Culture Studies
Media Research	Creative Writing
Communication Research	Journalism Or Advertising Journalism

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Mass Communication Vs Mass Media: Skills Required

Now that we've established the difference between the two, let's see how different the skills required for the two industries are.

Mass Communication Skillset	Mass Media Skillset
Creativity	Research skills
Communication Skills	Communication skills
Networking Skills	Writing Skills
Interviewing Skills	Acquaintance skills
Problem-solving skills	Seasoned Digital Skills
Research ability	Interpersonal skills
Observation and Interpretation Skills	Ability to work under pressure
Ability to work under pressure	To meet daily targets efficiently
Ability to express ideas clearly	Social Media Knowledge

Job Options After Mass Communication and Mass Media Courses

In terms of job prospects, there are immense possibilities in both the Mass Communication and Mass Media sectors. Due to the proliferation of new media, employment opportunities have increased even more. Those interested in this field can find employment in industries such as news agencies, television and radio news channels, newspapers, magazines, news portals, advertising companies, corporate communications, public relations, cinema and the United Nations Organisation, etc. The job profiles for both courses are the same. Given below are some of the popular job profiles:

Check Out: Top News Channels in India

Top Colleges for Mass Communication and Mass Media Courses

The best Mass Communication and Mass Media colleges are listed in the table below -

Mass Communication Colleges in India	Mass Media Colleges in India
Symbiosis Centre for Media and Communication	Asian College of Journalism (ACJ)
Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai	University of Mumbai
Christ University, Bangalore	Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media
Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM), Bangalore	AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia
Birla Institute of Liberal Arts & Management Sciences	Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication
Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi	Anna University
Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune	Amity School of Communication

Important Mass Communication & Mass Media Entrance Exams

To get admission in the courses of Mass Communication and Mass Media, candidates need to qualify for the following entrance exams:

Top 10 mass communication colleges to join at the PG level

About the Author

Nupur Jain