Jack, sorry to land you with this one but the mental image I form when hearing of the media is the general group or collection of newspapers, talk show hosts, magazines, and the web. Therefore, it is a natural pluralization in my eyes. It is a shortened form of mass media or communication to the masses via a collective group of mediums—media.
Medium more clearly denotes a single type—CD-ROM, newsprint, to name a few. Perhaps it is more clear to consider medium as the method of distribution.
From your earlier postings it is clear that you recognize the continual evolution of our language. I like to use media when explaining why Dan Rather, the WSJ, Geraldo, NBC, and the National Enquirer are common bedfellows. Is there a reason against my using it which is more compelling than the reason I've just explained?
-MrB
“Wrong, perhaps, but for a good reason!” |
