What is Communication?
Communication refers to the transmission of information between individuals, firms, and the government, sent through the press, internet, post office, telephones, or telegraph.
Factors Influencing the Choice of Communication Medium
- Cost: when two media are equally efficient, the cheaper one is usually chosen — mail is generally the cheapest, sophisticated means more expensive.
- Urgency: urgent information needs the fastest, safest means, like express mail.
- Accuracy: precise information is better sent by letter, email, or SMS than by phone call.
- Distance: the medium depends on whether sender and receiver are in the same building, town, country, or continent.
- Confidentiality: confidential information is unsuitable for telex, fax, SMS, or phone, since a third party could access it — a sealed letter is more confidential.
- Time of day, the relationship between the parties, and the quantity and complexity of the information.
The Post Office
The post office is the main institution for transmitting information in remote areas, usually run by the government to ensure secrecy for individuals and firms. It provides information and financial services.
Information Services
Transmitting letters between people, keeping delivery records, offering registered post (with compensation if an article goes missing), free post (where the receiving firm pays), and express delivery (faster than ordinary post).
Financial Services
- Money order: issued to people who want to send money to others inside or outside the country (letter money order, telegraphic money order, card money order).
- Post office savings bank: lets people save money long or short term, withdrawing by cheque.
- Electronic mail (email): allows information to be communicated between computers via a central computer.
Problems Facing the Postal Service
Letters often don’t reach their destination or take too long, embezzlement of money paid for postal services occurs, the rise of social media has reduced demand and revenue, and post offices aren’t located in most remote areas.
