Channels of Communication |UGC NET Library and Information Science

In this article we are going to talk only about channels of communication. We shall talk about the barriers of communication in the next article. Click here to read about "Barriers of Communication"

 Channels of Communication:

Communication channels (as per organisation structure) are categorised as:  Formal, Informal and Unofficial. 

1. Formal channels:

• Messages in this type of communication channel follow a chain of command.
•  Information flows from a manager to his subordinates and they in turn pass on the information to the next level of staff.
• Layman Example: From Boss/Founder to Manager to other staff in a sophisticated manner. 

2. Informal channels:

• Doesn't need to follow a chain of command.
• Example: conversations on the work floor addressing queries of team members, lunch time conversations, 

3. Unofficial Channels: 

Grapevine communication, means it takes place outside the formal communication. Example: Gossips.  

Classification of Channels of Communication: 

A) Existence of feed back

i) One way: It includes any face to face communication where there is no opportunity for the immediate feed back. All written communication also comes under this category.

Example: Lecture / meeting without discussion; Radio and TV; Written communications 

Sender >>>>>>>>>>> Receiver

ii) Two way: It allows for constant feed back and  roles of the sender and receiver will be interchanging.

Sender>>>>>>to>>>>>>>Receiver

Sender<<<<<<to<<<<<<<Receiver

Example: Question-answer sessions, discussions and meetings.

B) Form (As per Medium)

i) Written: Better for facts and opinions.

ii) Oral: Better for emotions.

C) Direction (As Per Flow Of Information)

i) Upward: communication is from the subordinates to the superiors.

ii) Downward: communication is from the superior to subordinates

iii) Horizontal: Two kinds of communication take place between people at the same level in a organization. 1. Formal 2. Informal

iv) Grapevine:

• Unofficial communication: takes place outside of formal channels.

Example: To hear something informally and unofficially by means of gossip or rumor.

Types of channels: 

Traditional , Modern and Digital

Mass Media

• Radio
•  Television
•  Films
•  Press

Outdoor Media 

• Banners
•  Bill Boards 
•  Posters 

Folk Media

• Folk Theatre
•  Songs
•  Puppetry
•  Ballads

New Media

• Satellites
• World Wide Web ( Internet)
• Computers
•  Mobiles

Refrences:

• https://egyankosh.ac.in/handle/123456789/10048