To the question of scientific definition of concepts of object and subject of sociology of mass communication

The article is devoted to the analysis of definitions of the concept of object and subject of sociology of mass communication which are debatable in sociological science. The author pays attention to similarities and fundamental differences of concepts of information mass media and communication mass media in foreign and domestic scientific literature. The author notes concrete approaches of foreign specialists to the definition of the concepts, analyzes peculiarities and puts forward arguments supporting or criticizing their concepts. Trying to explain sociologically the essence of personal innovations, the author proves the possibility of combining such primary components as process and institute in the concept of mass communication. The author’s position is summarized in the necessity to take into consideration the total influence on mass communication and Internet. It is offered to reconsider some aspects of the analysis of the problem in connection with a wide circulation of the Internet and modern information technologies.