The Art of Journalism – some thoughts about arts journalism

Arts, showbiz, entertainment and culture are all becoming merged with the loss of specific arts journalism. Is there a problem? Reporters and critics are becoming bleared, along with the rise of commentators and pundits. Has art reporting been wiped out?

Some may argue that art was more interesting in the past. I believe that the rise in new cultural art forms provides an exciting space for arts journalism to be revived to its former glory. There are many reports about music and celebrities but what about orchestras, classical music and refined culture?

The mainstream news can be described as an A and E department. Journalists report the crisis then everyone stops writing without people explaining what happened. We are loosing the analysis and context behind the headline. We need more ‘how’ and ‘why’ in our reporting to provide the intricate stories that develop through long conversations with enlightened people – artists are some of those types.

Do media outlets need to make art stories more available? Is there an actual market for arts news?

Everything has to be covered within 90 seconds on broadcast television news which makes it extremely difficult for deeper analysis in features and documentaries.

The audience for art is growing with the rise of alternative cultural scenes and street art but the media do not seem to be documenting the culture shift that is emerging throughout London.

It’s time for those with years of experience, knowledge and strong personalities to put themselves forward to become the art critics of the future. Bloggers can not really give a rounded perspective on a particular subject as most produce self-serving arguments (like what I’m doing here).

So instead of being lead by what we read in the papers, let’s start embracing out culture and celebrating the artistic nature of this great country.