Gannett seeks reporters to cover Beyoncé and Taylor Swift

An intriguing debate over specialised journalism in an ever-evolving media panorama over Gannett’s resolution to hunt reporters to cowl music superstars Beyoncé and Taylor Swift has ignited.

America’s largest newspaper chain has positioned a assist needed commercial for 2 distinctive job listings on its platform: a Taylor Swift reporter and a Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter. These “appointed specialists” can be built-in into USA At this time and The Tennessean groups, Gannett’s Nashville-based publications, signaling an formidable endeavor to bolster their protection of iconic figures in in style tradition. 

Based on Michael Anastasi, editor of the Tennessean and Gannett’s vp for native information, the chain actively seeks “fashionable storytellers,” or people expert in print, audio, and visible journalism. In a job description posted by the corporate, the Taylor Swift reporter will dissect the pop sensation’s enduring affect, scrutinize her fanbase’s cultural significance, and consider her far-reaching affect on music and enterprise. Equally, the Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter will encapsulate the multifaceted results of the worldwide famous person on society and the industries she profoundly influences. 

The immense reputation of each artists is underscored by a current survey by QuestionPro which estimated that this yr’s Swift concert events may end in about $4.6 billion in economic system exercise in North America alone. The identical survey famous that Beyoncé’s exhibits ought to spur roughly $4.5 billion in spending, or roughly the identical stage as generated by the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 

Although Anastasi underscored the proficiency of the Tennessean’s present music group, critics have voiced reservations about current layoffs at Gannett, culminating in a 47% workforce discount over the previous three years. The NewsGuild’s information signifies that the decline in employees numbers has been much more precipitous at sure newspapers, plummeting by as much as 90%. Rick Edmonds, a distinguished skilled on the Poynter Institute, raised poignant questions on these new positions, particularly amidst the backdrop of cutbacks in substantive information and native reporting. 

Anastasi staunchly defended the choice, asserting, “We’re not hiring a Taylor Swift reporter on the expense of different reporters.” Nonetheless, some argue that the listings would possibly inadvertently blur the strains between fan engagement {and professional} journalism. Jeremy Gordon, a music author, expressed reservations to the Related Press in regards to the time period “full-time stan” being included into an precise journalism position, highlighting the potential pitfalls of such an strategy. 

Whereas specialization inside journalism will not be unusual, notably in politics, the place reporters could completely cowl particular figures, leisure journalists sometimes cowl a variety of expertise. 

Suzy Exposito, a reporter on the Los Angeles Occasions, mirrored on her expertise as an “unofficial” beat reporter for Dangerous Bunny, acknowledging the challenges posed by prolific artists within the ever-evolving music business. 

“His near-weekly output grew to become actually overwhelming, and it took away focus from a variety of different artists who had been additionally making compelling work,” Exposito instructed the AP. “He’s so prolific that I believe I actually ran out of recent phrases to explain him in some unspecified time in the future. He may use his personal reporter, too.” 

Eric Grode of Syracuse College famous that artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are producing information past their music, making their actions newsworthy in their very own proper. 

“It’s a bit odd, however Taylor Swift Inc., I suppose you’ll name it, is a giant financial driver proper now,” Grode instructed the AP. “Taylor Swift is doing a variety of newsworthy issues past simply promoting live performance tickets.”