Life as an Entertainment Journalist consists of writing or discussing books, music, movies, and celebrities associated with those popular art forms. Entertainment journalism has been challenged by the decline of traditional news outlets and the rise of entertainment writing on the internet.
As stated by Chron, journalists who worked full-time in 2020 earned a median salary of about $49,300 per year. As the journalism industry is slowly increasing online and decreasing in traditional formats, we are depending on certain word of mouth, and social media.
Entertainment journalism can be split between two main categories of topics: critics who comment on music, books, and other forms of entertainment; and discussions on celebrities, Hollywood, and pop culture.
Celebrity journalism is intended to give insights into the artist’s social and romantic life, which is the basis of entertaining more than being informative. Critical journalism is based on the price of the work.
Critics of movies are the reason why many go to the movie theater or not to see a movie. Their pay scale depends on where they work because of the content name instead of the actual content. It also depends on how popular the topic is because there will be many sources writing about a popular topic, so a writer has to be in a popular news outlet or magazine to have more pay for a specific article/review.
A New Era of Journalism
Based on how physical newspapers and magazines have become portable pieces of technology because we have access to the news on our phones, journalism has taken a big change on how we consume information.
Journalism had a golden age of print. In the mid-20th century, entertainment journalism was dominated by print media. Big magazine names include Vogue and Rolling Stone, as they provided the best coverage of the music and film industries. Time also showcased celebrities as cultural symbols/icons.
Television was also a big change in how entertainment news was released. Entertainment Tonight started in 1981 and brought celebrity news to many living rooms. This made journalism more accessible and immediate to many viewers. Many celebrities used this platform to boost their public personas and create a relationship between both the television and celebrities.
Social Media and Credibility
When the 21st Century hit, making a lasting impact on how celebrity and entertainment news was announced. Having the internet in full bloom, made access to the news even easier and more accessible to everyone in the world. TMZ came out with news in real-time, often before any original news outlet could. Being able to have news online, made everyone question the credibility and accuracy of the information being presented.
Social media has now revolutionized the industry of journalism as celebrities are able to communicate directly with their fan base. These platforms include TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, etc. They have become the tools of promotion and engagement. It can often take over the fact that information needs to be credible and not how fast something is released. Since social media has become a part of our society, we question who can be a journalist.
Not only are social media platforms booming, but now that Blogs and Independent platforms emerged, new voices have become a part of the journalism industry. This gave a pedestal to fans of celebrities and amateur critics to share their opinions alongside traditional news outlets. We now also have influencers who have blended the lines of news and information being presented to a certain audience.
Tackling Fake News
When it comes to making sure stores are credible, how do we tackle fake news? The biggest step taken is by fact-checking. Taking those initiatives is very cliche, but it is the first step taken. Being transparent with listeners and viewers is also very important to the journalism industry. Telling people where the information was taken from reveals a sort of credibility from the journalist.
Media literacy and investigative reporting are other ways that outlets can remain credible and believable. Educating people on media literacy are steps that are being taken with credible news. Investigative journalism is the root of uncovering fake news in the industry.
Journalism today
Today, entertainment journalism is defined by immediate and accurate information. Looking ahead, the industry is poised for further evolution and growth. Now that we have artificial intelligence and virtual reality, there will possibly be even more dramatic changes in how we consume the news and journalists share the news with the world.
The biggest challenge will be to maintain integrity in an industry that depends on credibility and not being biased. Especially in a world that is technologically moving at a fast pace, balancing the demand for quick updates will take thoughtful analysis and will be very crucial to the survival of entertainment journalism.
Entertainment journalism reflects broader societal changes and technological advancements. From the origins of print and then to the evolution of the internet and social media, the field has transformed greatly and efficiently. The hardest challenge for journalists to keep up is from this point forward to keep accuracy and credibility, as well as integrity to resonate with modern audiences. The journey has only just started for journalism as it is growing and still a very important part of our lives. It is as dynamic as the stories and articles you read.
