Media communications in the system of university education: defining the problem

Abstract

The article attempts to comprehend the concepts of «information», «communication», «mass communication», «mass media», and «journalism» within the large-scale media transformation induced by the emergence of new media practices. The results of the terminology analysis demonstrate that the current concepts are not sufficient to express the changes occurring in the media environment, resulting in the creation of the new concept of «media communications». The author presents various approaches to the interpretation of the «media communications» concept. The general point is the syncretism of individual, group, and mass formats of information transmission through various communicative means. The implementation of new techniques in the distribution of information has launched the reformation in media professionals’ education. The research aims to explore the meaning of such terms as «information», «communication», «mass media», and «media communications» in the context of current media use, as well as to examine educational programs in the «Media Communications» training direction.