Lecture 8
Introduction II – how can we study common topics in journalism studies through the lens of
celebrity news?
In journalism studies researchers focus on the study of specific themes: How do journalists deal with
ethnic minorities? Is there a trend towards more sensational news? How do media construct certain
social problems, like racism, crime and poverty? What ethical rules do journalists follow in their
work? How do media hypes arise? In the coming weeks we will discuss a number of these topics in
order to explore how they are researched in journalism studies. Organized around the theme of
celebrity news we will take events and stories and introduce you to the tools which will help you to
analyse these topics academically.
In the reader:
p. 13 Fry, S. 2010. The Fry Chronicles. An Autobiography. London, Penguin Books: 281-
291. ISBN: 978-0-718-15483-7
p. 21 Turner, G. 2004. Understanding Celebrity. Sage, London: 3-20. SBN 0-7619-4167-3
Introduction II: how can we study common topics in journalism studies through the lens of
celebrity news?
Lecture focus
Why study celebrity (news)?
- Where do we find celebrities in media and news?
- What are the social functions of celebrity?
- What is the relation between celebrities and journalism?
‘Celebrity content has become fundamental to the news media in the twenty-first century.
From mass market magazines to nightly television programmes to online editions of newspapers,
celebrity news has proved its capacity to attract attention and to drive consumption. Where celebrity
news might once have been more or less confined to a specific range of print and television outlets, it
is now a category of content that can be found right across the media spectrum.’
Source: Graeme Turner (2010) ‘Approaching celebrity studies’, Celebrity Studies, 1(1): pp.11-20, here
p.11
‘Modern celebrity *…+ is a product of media representation’ (Turners, in reader, p.8)
From public figure to celebrity
Media interest in activities… … being transferred from reporting on their public role… … to
investigating details of their private lives.
‘The propensity to worship idols is not new.’
(Stephen Fry, reader, p.284)
On the social function of celebrities and its relation to journalism
Starsuckers
Documentary written and directed by Chris Atkins
Topic: celebrity culture & media coverage
Released November 2009
Introduction II – how can we study common topics in journalism studies through the lens of
celebrity news?
In journalism studies researchers focus on the study of specific themes: How do journalists deal with
ethnic minorities? Is there a trend towards more sensational news? How do media construct certain
social problems, like racism, crime and poverty? What ethical rules do journalists follow in their
work? How do media hypes arise? In the coming weeks we will discuss a number of these topics in
order to explore how they are researched in journalism studies. Organized around the theme of
celebrity news we will take events and stories and introduce you to the tools which will help you to
analyse these topics academically.
In the reader:
p. 13 Fry, S. 2010. The Fry Chronicles. An Autobiography. London, Penguin Books: 281-
291. ISBN: 978-0-718-15483-7
p. 21 Turner, G. 2004. Understanding Celebrity. Sage, London: 3-20. SBN 0-7619-4167-3
Introduction II: how can we study common topics in journalism studies through the lens of
celebrity news?
Lecture focus
Why study celebrity (news)?
- Where do we find celebrities in media and news?
- What are the social functions of celebrity?
- What is the relation between celebrities and journalism?
‘Celebrity content has become fundamental to the news media in the twenty-first century.
From mass market magazines to nightly television programmes to online editions of newspapers,
celebrity news has proved its capacity to attract attention and to drive consumption. Where celebrity
news might once have been more or less confined to a specific range of print and television outlets, it
is now a category of content that can be found right across the media spectrum.’
Source: Graeme Turner (2010) ‘Approaching celebrity studies’, Celebrity Studies, 1(1): pp.11-20, here
p.11
‘Modern celebrity *…+ is a product of media representation’ (Turners, in reader, p.8)
From public figure to celebrity
Media interest in activities… … being transferred from reporting on their public role… … to
investigating details of their private lives.
‘The propensity to worship idols is not new.’
(Stephen Fry, reader, p.284)
On the social function of celebrities and its relation to journalism
Starsuckers
Documentary written and directed by Chris Atkins
Topic: celebrity culture & media coverage
Released November 2009
