4.1 Meaning of entertainment media

Entertainment media are the channels and content whose main purpose is to amuse, relax, thrill or emotionally engage an audience, rather than mainly to inform it. They include films, television drama and comedy, music and music videos, reality and talent shows, radio entertainment programmes, celebrity and lifestyle content, online videos, podcasts, games and much of what is shared on social media. Entertainment media still carry messages: they shape how audiences see gender, ethnicity, crime, wealth, health and success, and for this reason they raise ethical questions just as news does. Example: a digital journalist who runs the entertainment section of a news website reviews new music videos, interviews artists and produces a weekly celebrity podcast, and each of these tasks involves ethical choices.

Forms of entertainment media

• Film and cinema: Feature films, documentaries made for entertainment, short films and online film releases.
• Television entertainment: Drama series, soap operas, sitcoms, comedy shows, talk shows, reality programmes and talent competitions.
• Music: Recorded music, music videos, concerts and radio music programmes.
• Radio entertainment: Breakfast shows, comedy skits, call-in games and entertainment talk.
• Digital and social media content: Online videos, skits, short-form clips, memes, livestreams and influencer content.
• Celebrity and lifestyle media: Gossip columns, celebrity news, fashion and lifestyle magazines and websites.
• Gaming and interactive media: Video games, mobile games and online e-sports streams.

Functions of entertainment media

• Relaxation and leisure: It gives audiences rest and enjoyment after work or study.
• Cultural expression: It carries a society's language, music, humour, stories and values, and allows artists to express identity.
• Social commentary: Comedy, drama and music often comment on politics, corruption, gender relations and social problems in a way that reaches audiences who avoid news.
• Education through entertainment: Edutainment programmes pass health, safety and civic messages through drama and music.
• Economic activity: It creates jobs for artists, producers, presenters and technicians, and earns revenue from advertising, sales and streaming.
• Shaping attitudes: Repeated portrayals influence what audiences think is normal, desirable or acceptable.

Entertainment and news: the blurring line

The boundary between entertainment and journalism is not always clear. Infotainment presents news in an entertaining way, for example light news segments, satirical news shows and celebrity-led current affairs. Celebrity news reports real events about real people, so it carries the duties of journalism, including accuracy and respect for privacy. Docudramas and biographical films dramatise real events, which can mislead audiences about what actually happened. A digital journalist working in entertainment must therefore know when the rules of journalism apply in full and when creative licence is acceptable.

Why ethics matters in entertainment media

• Large and young audiences: Entertainment attracts the widest audiences, including children and young people who copy what they see.
• Influence on values: Portrayals of violence, sex, drugs, alcohol and gender roles can normalise harmful behaviour.
• Real people involved: Participants in reality shows, pranks and celebrity stories are real people who can be harmed.
• Commercial pressure: The drive for viewers, clicks and streams encourages shock content and exaggeration.
• Creative rights: Entertainment is built on the creative work of artists, whose rights must be respected.

Roles of the digital journalist in entertainment media

• Reporter and reviewer: Reports entertainment news and reviews films, music and shows honestly, without being paid for favourable reviews.
• Producer: Produces entertainment programmes, podcasts and video content that respect participants and audiences.
• Content curator: Selects and shares clips, playlists and trends on the outlet's social media pages.
• Gatekeeper: Decides what entertainment content is suitable for the outlet's audience and at what time or with what warning.
• Critic and watchdog: Comments on harmful trends in the entertainment industry, such as exploitation of artists or harmful stereotypes.