If we watch television, listen to the radio, borrow a book from the library or read a newspaper, we are using media. If we surf on the Internet, we are connected with other computers in the world and are using electronic media. So media (the word comes from the Latin word "medium” and means something like "means of communication”) are ways or certain methods of spreading news and information, including pictures and films. Media can be used for further education, as a source of information, to exchange ideas or simply for entertainment. And because a lot of people do this by watching television or reading newspapers, such media are also called "mass media”. People who own media outlets such as television stations or publishing houses thus reach a large number of people and have a great deal of opportunity to influence the opinions of these people. That is why it is a good idea to gain information from a wide variety of media.