Final answer:
Dumont describes channels of communication as modes of transmitting messages, which include a variety of platforms like social media, websites, and more traditional forms such as print and broadcast media.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Dumont refers to channels of communication, he is essentially discussing the various modes of transmitting messages. These are the means by which information, ideas, and messages are conveyed from one individual or group to another. In the context of media and technology, channels of communication refer to an array of tools such as social media, podcasts, blogs, websites, and even traditional methods like broadcast and print media. Each of these channels has adapted with the progression of digital technology to facilitate more interactive and targeted communication.
Technological advances have significantly shaped the media landscape, transitioning from mass communication to what is now known as 'new media'. This encompasses electronic communication through devices and platforms like smartphones, digital video cameras, the Internet, and various forms of social media. What is pivotal to these new media is their ability to provide quick, democratic communication pathways that can reach a vast audience instantly.
Understanding the impact of channels of communication requires awareness of how these methods can vary culturally and technologically. Media scholars use the term 'penetration' to describe the extent to which a communication technology is spread within a certain context. Thus, the term 'channels of communication' encapsulates both the diversity and the commonality of communication means in a technologically connected world.