What characterizes traditional media compared to social media?

Traditional media is characterized primarily by one-way communication from the publisher to users. This means that information flows in a linear fashion, where the media outlet produces content that is then consumed by the audience without any immediate feedback or interaction. Examples of traditional media include newspapers, television, and radio, where the publisher's role is to disseminate information to the audience, and viewers or readers typically do not have a platform for direct engagement with that content.

In contrast to traditional media, social media platforms enable significant interactivity between users, allow for user engagement through comments, and facilitate real-time content updates, creating a dynamic and participatory environment. This distinction illustrates the fundamental difference between these two types of media regarding audience interaction and content dissemination.