Audio Communication is when the message is transmitted through sounds. Examples include
A whistle; This is a device which is blown to produce a sharp shrill sound to alert or warn the public or employees in an institution. It is normally used by security guards when there is danger. In some organization, a whistle is used to announce change in shifts
Horn; This is also an instrument that is used to produce sound which passes different information depending on the way it is blown.
Other methods of audio communication include drums, alarms, and bells among others
Advantages of Audio communication
Is a faster method of communication
It can reach several people at once
The message is received instantly
Disadvantages of Audio communication
The message may be interpreted wrongly
It can only be used within a certain radius at a time
In 1888, a German, Heinrich Rudolph Hertz, (1857-94) demonstrated the existence of electromagnetic waves (vibrations) that travel through space, which were named after him. These waves could be used in wireless communications.
In 1901, an Italian, Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937) invented the radio and sent a radio transmission across the Atlantic from poldhu in Cornwall to Saint John, Newfoundland, Canada.
The radio gained prominence during World War I as it was used to communicate.
The Marconi Company made the first radio broadcast in Britain in 1920.
The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) was set up in London in 1922.
Kenya’s Radio Broadcasts before independence depended on the BBC. The VOK began to air programmes after independence.
In 1990, VOK changed its name o KBC
In 1995, the FM meter Band was launched thus leading to an increase in radio stations
Importance of radio as a form of communication
Radio is easy to access since people can afford to buy the device.
News and information from the radio is quickly received throughout the country
It can also be accessed by illiterate people who can listen and understand the radio news if broadcast in the language they can understand.
Radios are sometimes used to broadcast educational programs and important government communications on issues like health, agriculture and family planning.
The radio is a source of entertainment. E.g through Music and drama programmes.
Radio can be used by manufacturers and companies to advertise their products thus stimulating business.
Cable television, a commercial service that links televisions to a source of many different types of video programming using Coaxial cables, was introduced in Kenya in 1994. The television users with personal satellite dishes can access satellite programming directly without a cable installation.
Recently, the digital television (DTV) was invented. This is the transmission of audio and video of digital signals, in contrast to analog signals
Television is an important means of communication since it is an audio-visual device. Its importance can be summarized as follows;
It conveys news and information from all over the world more vividly than other means of communication such as radio.
It is a source of entertainment as it shows music and drama programmes.
It is a device that may be used in educational broadcasting. Some educational programmes are broadcast on television. For example, programmes that sensitize people on HIV and AIDS pandemic.
It is used in commercial advertisement by manufacturers and companies thus enabling them to sell their products.
e) It is the best means of transmitting ideas since it commands attention.
f) It is a source of employment in the television stations.
g) Television has enabled humankind to bridge the gap of real-time communication between different time zones in the world.
Disadvantages.
TV can only be viewed where there is electricity. It is expensive to install solar panels in areas where there is no electricity. The car batteries that may be used require constant charging.
Pornographic programmes have eroded cultural values, especially among the youth. Such programmes originate in the west and the youth want to imitate what they see.
Watching violent programmes has created the culture of violence among the youth. For example, watching of wrestling and violent movies.
Some advertisements encourage deviant behavior. For example, advertisements of alcohol and cigarettes.
Watching television can sometimes become addictive in some homes thus limiting the time to participate in other activities
