It’s interesting how most basic concepts are easily taken for granted by those who should be the experts. For instance, it shocked me to discover that the difference between what is understood to be a message and what is construed to be information was not as obvious as assumed by many communicators. Someone in a communication forum was even bold enough to proffer that the main difference is that, messages are delivered by messengers whilst information is delivered by informants! However, a more helpful differentiating way must exist; and one stride towards that end I found in an augmentation of the word message itself.
Media that is used in
transmitting the signal, will determine whether the product results into a
message or information. This is because messages unlike information don’t
travel exclusively within the selected channels but rather also along them.
This means when a communicator sends signals through a channel, for example
using the television as the preferred medium, the receiver may draw other conclusions
over that choice. The information being sent would, for example, be about the
latest farming methods, but the receivers might still draw out a message such
as: the communicator had a sizable budget and that’s why the preference of TV
over cheaper other alternatives like the radio.
Still on medium, when a
communicator is making an oral presentation, the body language is on the test.
The audience is busy trying to confirm whether you the communicator -is saying
what you are implying (or should be implying). Here is when messages are
perceived as well as received, whereas information is only received.
Enumerability is a
characteristic of messages. We can count
the messages that we send or receive. It is normal to speak of having received
four messages yesterday and better still pieces of message. But, information is
not countable. Therefore, we may encounter information overload- lots of
information, or little information, but it is never- fifty informations!
Steered towards specific
targets is commonly done for messages. This contrasts sharply with information
which is availed to almost –everyone. Information may be all over, but we might
not notice until we are in need of it. Communicators supply information
packaged as directories, booklets, catalogs, brochures and web pages. Only
interested audiences will actively seek information. Messages on their part
seek out their audience who are usually very open to receive them. But a
message can however be misdirected and when this happens, it sends out a
message about the sender!
Symbolism cannot escape
messages. Messages rely on symbols and symbolism unlike information.
Information is most useful when packaged in an orderly manner. Information ascribes
to rules of the language and conforms to conventions. However, messages are rather
informal and unconventional. It is in messages that a communicator seeks
feedback while in information they may only seek clarification. As mentioned
before communicators may easily control the information they are delivering,
but not so with the message since the later can send itself from the
communicator even without the sender knowing! When you deliver an authoritative
speech (but in a rather nervous voice) your information will affirm that you are
a brave person, yet your voice will be sending the message that you aren’t. A
communicator’s real task then becomes, not just sending the right information
but also the right message(s).
Alerts are what messages are.
In the typical workplace environment when an urgent need arises, what is sent
out to concerned parties is not information [in real sense] but messages. It
would be in the meeting that the information will be given. Messages are quite
effective in provoking and evoking quick responses in the receiver whereas
information is a slow and tolerant mode of communicating.
Gnomic is an attribute closely related to being enumerable.
Messages by their nature tend to be short and rather sharp. In the modern times
messages come to us through our emails and text prompts on our phones. This is
quite a contrast from the past when written notes and emissaries were the main
means of transmittal. Despite that, the characteristic of brevity still stands
out in both times as a notable distinction. Although, information can be short,
it better be long so that the recipients don’t complain about- getting
insufficient information. It is always a lesser evil for a communicator to be
accused of providing excess information than of providing less.
Expiration happens to
messages a lot. Messages are transient and quickly expire with time. If a
message was sent alerting members of an appointment to be held at 10.00 am and
it arrives to the receivers at 3.00 pm, it is no longer a message [in real
terms], but it may still be archived as a record for reference purposes.
Information on its part is enduring and would remain useful over long periods
of time.
This simple sort-through is a worthwhile
rung on which you as a communicator can step upon when confronted unexpectedly with
the random challenge of having to differentiate the two important outputs of your
profession. I hope from this information, you’ve gotten the vital message.
