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Process of Communication Explained with Diagram and Examples

 


Think about the last time you texted a friend, watched a news bulletin, or listened to a radio jingle on your morning commute. All of these are acts of communication. And yet, most of us never stop to think about how communication actually works.

Communication is the backbone of human civilisation. From the earliest cave paintings to today's viral Instagram reels, every form of expression follows a process. It is a structured journey that a message takes from one person to another.

For students of mass communication, journalism, advertising, and media studies, understanding this process is not just academic knowledge. It is the very foundation of your craft. Whether you are writing a news story, designing an ad campaign, or anchoring a live show, you are always working within the process of communication.

Let's break down the entire process of communication in a simple, easy-to-understand way. We cover all elements, models, real-life examples from Indian media, and clear explanations of every component.

What is the Process of Communication?

The process of communication is the step-by-step method through which a message is created, sent, received, and understood between two or more people. It is not a one-time event. It is a continuous, dynamic exchange that involves multiple stages and participants.

Definition: The process of communication refers to the transmission of a message from a sender to a receiver through a medium or channel, where the message is encoded by the sender, decoded by the receiver, and a response is generated in the form of feedback.

Simply put, communication is like a game of cricket. The bowler (sender) bowls the ball (message), the batsman (receiver) tries to read the delivery (decodes), plays a shot (feedback), while the crowd noise (interference or noise) may affect how well everyone communicates on the field.

The process of communication applies to all forms of communication. This includes interpersonal communication (one-on-one conversations), group communication, mass communication (newspapers, TV, radio, social media), and organisational communication.

Elements of the Communication Process

Before we look at the diagram or the steps, it is important to know what the elements of the communication process are. There are nine core components, and each one plays a vital role.

Element 1: Sender (Source)

The sender is the person or entity who initiates the communication. The sender has a thought, idea, or information they want to share with someone else. The sender is also known as the communicator or encoder. Example: A news anchor on NDTV reporting a breaking story is the sender.

Element 2: Encoding

Encoding is the process of converting the sender's idea into a form that can be transmitted. This could be words, images, sounds, gestures, or symbols. The sender packages the message in a way the receiver can understand. Example: A journalist converts a complex economic policy into simple, readable language for a newspaper article.

Element 3: Message

The message is the actual content of communication. It is the information, idea, emotion, or opinion being transmitted. It can be verbal (spoken or written) or non-verbal (gestures, facial expressions, visuals). Example: A 30-second television advertisement promoting a new product is the message.

Element 4: Channel (Medium)

The channel is the medium through which the message travels from the sender to the receiver. It could be air (for speech), paper (for print), a screen (for TV or digital), or radio waves. In mass communication, the channel is the media platform itself. Example: A WhatsApp forward, a newspaper, a radio broadcast — each is a different channel.

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