Everyday journalists write, whether it’s news, sports, politics, etc. but when we write about the arts or celebrities, what is it that gathers people’s attention?
As journalists we are always perceived as the bad guy/woman. No matter what we write people think, how could they write about that? Do they not have any feelings? but really it’s to provide viewers with global news. People read articles because they are interested in the story or topic.
We will always have critics. We need to accept this and continue to do our job.
Saying that what is it about celebrities that seem to grab your attention? Is it because you’ve got a Hollywood crush? Is it because they are easier targets than reality? Is it because it’s just always placed in front of our faces? Who knows, only you have the answer.
Than there is arts and entertainment journalism. It can be just as much as celebrity journalism, but it has a lot more value.
When we write about arts and entertainment we express ideas and interests, which ultimately benefit the readers knowledge and perception on our columns.
There was an article I read in the Toronto Star, where arts and entertainment is written at it’s best.
Brian Rayner is a columnist for the Toronto Star and lucky him (sarcastically) he got to attend the Hedley concert in Toronto on Easter Monday.
Rayner wrote about the concert so it would gather the minds of not just “tweens” and teens, but to gather a mature audience. He mentioned things that the band did, such as jokes that the teens/tweens wouldn’t understand or hear entirely. Or when the band setup a fake campsite, on-stage, and popped open a few Corona’s and sang praise of drinking cold beers, who doesn’t?
As the show progressed Hedley played a show that would attract some of the older audiences attention, so that they didn’t have to sit there dull-faced.
What I am trying to say is that celebrity journalism isn’t the type of journalism we are taught. When you read a story in the arts and entertainment it helps, all of us, realize that this is what entertainment journalism should be. And we remember that everything we are delivering is to benefit our audience instead of harassing someone, or telling lies.
Arts and entertainment is the real journalism, don’t fall into the celebrity journalism trap, because once you fall deep enough you’re stuck.
Mike Wobschall
April 7, 2010
