There are several steps involved in processes that need to be conducted in order to produce an intended effect. Each step may have other factors to depend on as well, and this is what makes a process of any kind more complex than it actually appears to be. Considering this in relation to the process of communication is a must because of the fact that there are particular steps in a communication processes, and each of these is influenced by a particular number of factors.

Typically, the communications process tat is mentioned here is comprised of the following elements: Sender, Encoding, Message, Channel, Decoding, Receiver, Feedback and Noise. Observing that these are the vital elements in a communications process, it is worth applying these to the recent presidential candidates’ debates. This is worth spending time on because it would help reveal the degree of particular tools implemented by each of the candidates, and would clear one’s views of each of them and their messages.

Speaking of presidential candidate messages, it is worth first of all asserting that each of the candidates is a sender. This is because the messages originate from them. Here, it must be asserted that senders are the ones that first of all commence the communication process; they are the responsible agents for formulating a message.

In formulating the message, a stage that follows the concept that the sender has in mind is the process of encoding; this is the process that the candidates would use to record and then further process the message. The result of encoding is the message that has to be sent to the intended audience. It must also be asserted that at this stage in the process, the sender still has control of the content in the message. Once it passes this stage and goes on to the Channel (s), the sender has little control.
Using a channel is also very important because of the fact that it is the channel that a sender uses that would determine the number of people listening to the message. Hence, a sender would have to use channels that are most likely to reach the greatest number of people (listeners) possible. Beyond this stage, a sender’s message is at the mercy of those who listen to it. Hence, the decoding stage of the communications process is one that depends one those that receive the message.

A final point worth considering in the communications process is the way that people receive a message. This stage referred to as ‘Noise’ considers the psychological aspect of a receiver’s inclination. In addition to this psychological factor, other physical factors play an important role in creating noise.
Considering all these stages in the light of the Presidential candidates’ debate, it must be first of all asserted that both candidates shared similarities in their approaches. This may be said because of the fact that they both use the same means to portray their messages in the debate. They both formulated their messages in the same manner, which is mentally. However, it must be asserted that each of the candidates would have prepared for this earlier as well. It is the encoding that they both carried out before the American people.

After encoding their messages and sending them out to the people through the channel (television), there was little time for them to respond in case they made wrong statements. It must be asserted here that this is the importance of such debates, as there is little time to respond and make excuses; if one’s thoughts are rooted in a truthful approach the viewers would immediately detect it.

Decoding would not be a problem in this regard, as all those present at the debate would understand immediately what is going on. In addition to this, through a debate, it is easier for most of the common people to understand, provided that one pays attention to what exactly is going on in the debate.
The responses, whether immediate or delayed, would determine the success of the candidates. It must be further asserted that the delayed response may show up as late as the election time. However, there is no way of denying that this form of communication (debate) is appropriate in order to expose the truth, and this is because of the fact that communication is obviously enhanced with this direct approach that does not give one much time to prepare excuses. In addition to this, it is a process that is conducted live before millions of Americans. This form of mass communication can be finally described as highly effective.

Communication in relation with the Hurricanes in Florida:

In addition to the type of live communication witnessed in the presidential candidates, it must be asserted that the channel of communication used is one that can also aid other aims as well. One of these can be the communication that is needed during crises in the country, such as the storms that were recently experienced in Florida. Naturally, all people would be able to understand messages backed up with live coverage of such catastrophe.

In view of the manner in which the news came to most viewers, it must be asserted that someone or an agency was responsible for the news content. This news content had to be accurate in order to allow the people in Florida enough time to do whatever they had to before they vacated their property. Moving out of the hurricane’s path in time was essential in order to survive in such a situation. There is hardly any chance of survival wit these massive storms if one stays around its region. However, mass communication played an immense role in ensuring that people took heed to what was warned. The message was originally encoded in the news room, and this was after the origin of it was perceived through visible signs or through meteorological aid. After this, the channels for communication were implemented, namely television and radio. These two communication devices being the most widely used means of communication for the common man were the most appropriate channels to make use of. Once the senders of the message went beyond this stage, one would know that the message is authentic; senders of this message through reliable channels would not send something that was not true. They clearly wanted everyone to know exactly what the situation was on order to avoid loss of human life. Since this was obviously accurate news, and I wanted to be in a safe place along with my family, we evacuated as quickly as we could. Here, it must be emphasized that the news content impacted our actions tremendously. This is because of the fact that we believe in what we see on the television or what we hear on the radio. We know that it in most cases cannot be wrong. Hence, this is a point worth likening to what was presented on television regarding the presidential candidate debate. It could also be asserted that this form of mass communication affects our lives significantly because we believe in what we are told through it. Through each one’s personal experience one can say that it is the repeated manner in which we are informed through mass communications that we learn to have so much faith in it. Hence in a situation where one’s life is in danger as in the Hurricane season, we immediately tend to rely 100% on what we are told. In the past mass communication has reported what catastrophe and loss of life had occurred in Florida. Hence, one would sensibly reply on what was announced on the television and the radio.

Certainly, the news reported was so closely followed by everyone including myself, as though it was Gospel truth and would guide us in an appropriate way. The reference made to ‘Gospel Truth’ is intentionally made in order to highlight the degree of belief and trust one has in mass communications.
Finally, it must be asserted that the stages in communication processes are not totally in control of in such situations> this must be said because of the fact that there is very little control over the intended messages beyond the use of ‘channels’. Yet, I still had faith in the messages by the time I heard them on the television and the radio. The possible miscommunication in between becomes negligible in dire situations, and we immediately rely on what we decode from the messages we receive.