N.B. – While preparing for my trip to Jakarta, a student from De La Salle University emailed three questions about entertainment journalism. Allow me to share with you my short answers.
What do you think about celebrity journalism nowadays (both local and in Hollywood)?
If by “celebrity journalism” you refer to the aspect of entertainment journalism that covers “showbusiness,” then it generally cannot be called journalism if we were to adhere to its highest professional and ethical standards. For the most part, so-called entertainment news is characterized by gossip and trivia and does not help in providing relevant information to the people. Instead of properly shaping public opinion, such news ends up “dumbing down” audiences. To be fair, however, there are initiatives from responsible journalists to come up with intelligent and objective reviews of films and other shows on radio and television. There are also shows that engage in political satire, entertaining and enlightening audiences at the same time.
Do the tabloids / paparazzi still adhere to the ethics of good journalism?
They don’t adhere to journalism ethics for the simple reason that what they do cannot be called journalism in the strictest sense of the word. There are those who argue that they are just mainly doing a public a favor by fulfilling the latter’s right to know, but we should always go back to the duty of journalists to provide only the significant information that can help shape public opinion. What is the significance, for example, of stalking a celebrity and catching him or her in very embarassing situations?
What do you think are the effects of the endless rave over celebrities’ lives?
Media could end up “dumbing down” audiences by focusing on too much gossip and trivia. Celebrities may be public figures, but their personal lives can only become “fair game” to journalists if they have a significant impact on the work that celebrities do. While there are also media hounds among celebrities who would do anything and everything to be in the news, it is imperative for journalists not to fall for such attempts. They should always keep in mind how they can help shape public opinion with the kind of information that they provide to audiences.
I agree Sir!
let’s say that most of them are just disseminating information. But often, they add personal remarks that are not actually needed and very irritating.
Before I used to admire a showbiz reporter because of her flowery words and scoops. Now I realized that she’s not good influence for she’s not only deteriorating media ethics but also destroying names and reputations.
Reply: That would explain why the kind of reporting in showbusiness at present now cannot be classified as entertainment journalism. How can it be even called “journalism” if such reporting does not adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards? The field of entertainment should be appreciated in its broadest sense to include not just films and music but also other less popular aspects like plays and poetry readings. In addition, there should be substantial coverage given to BOTH popular culture and counter-culture. All the best!