Bryan West (journalist) explained

Bryan West
Alma Mater:Medill School of Journalism
Occupation:Journalist
Employer:Gannett

Bryan West (born [1]) is an American journalist who works as a dedicated Taylor Swift reporter for the newspaper company Gannett, mainly working for The Tennessean and USA Today.

Early life

West is from Arizona. In 2008, he transferred from Gonzaga University to the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.[2]

Career

While studying at the Medill School of Journalism, West reported for the Northwestern News Network and interned at The Today Show and NBC News.[3] He went on to work as a broadcast news reporter and producer for eight years at KPNX in Phoenix, Arizona.[4] In 2014, he was awarded the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for investigative journalism for an investigation into firefighters who had falsely testified in arson cases.[5] He also won two Emmys during this time.[6] [7]

Taylor Swift reporter for Gannett

West was announced as Gannett's first ever dedicated Taylor Swift reporter on November 6, 2023, with Variety breaking the news. The two-month search for the role made headlines when it began publicly on September 12,[8] [9] followed by a similar request for a Beyoncé reporter.[10] Applicants had included an established White House reporter as well as several fans of Swift. West had stated 13 reasons why he should be hired in his video application, including his journalism experience, the fact that he had already met Swift through his work on the opening night of the 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour, and that he was able to report without bias, listing "It's Nice to Have a Friend", "Stay Stay Stay," and "False God" as songs he disliked.[11] He moved to Nashville for the job.

West received criticism from fans of Swift and newspaper watchdogs; he had described himself in his Variety interview as "a fan of Taylor," leading journalists to question whether he would be unbiased in his reporting, while fans debated whether West was a big enough fan himself. Others suggested that a woman would have been better suited to the role. Lark-Marie Antón, the chief communications officer of Gannett, responded to the criticism in an email by stating that "Haters gonna hate," and that West's experience "made him the best candidate for this role."

Personal life

West has been sober since 2018. He has discussed his struggles with alcoholism and depression,[12] stating that he "uncovered a deeper affinity for Swift's music during his recovery". He is a licensed drone pilot.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Willman . Chris . 2023-11-06 . Gannett's Taylor Swift Reporter, Revealed: Meet Bryan West, the First Full-Time Swiftie Journalist (EXCLUSIVE) . 2024-06-08 . . en-US . November 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106140605/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-reporter-usa-today-gannett-hire-1235781178/ . live .
  2. Web site: Freedman . Paulina . Bryan West Is in His 'Dream Job' Era . 2024-06-10 . Northwestern Magazine . en . June 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240601150713/https://magazine.northwestern.edu/people/bryan-west-taylor-swift-reporter-tennessean-usa-today/ . live .
  3. News: Wendler . Jacob . 2023-11-07 . Medill alum Bryan West hired as Gannett's Taylor Swift reporter . . 2023-12-28 . November 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231129112634/https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/11/07/lateststories/medill-alum-bryan-west-hired-as-gannetts-taylor-swift-reporter/ . live .
  4. News: Kircher . Madison Malone . 2023-11-08 . A Dedicated Taylor Swift Reporter Faces Swift Criticism . en-US . . 2023-12-28 . 0362-4331 . December 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231228232653/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/style/taylor-swift-reporter-bryan-west.html . live .
  5. Web site: 2014-12-18 . 12 News Investigative Reporter Wendy Halloran wins Alfred I. duPont Award . 2024-06-08 . . en-US . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608030013/https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/12-news-investigative-reporter-wendy-halloran-wins-alfred-i-dupont-award/75-275846285 . live .
  6. Web site: Rella . Emily . 2023-11-08 . Gannett Hires First-Ever 'Taylor Swift Reporter': Bryan West . 2023-12-28 . . en . December 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231228232653/https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/gannett-hires-first-ever-taylor-swift-reporter-bryan-west/465086 . live .
  7. Web site: Tan . Kwan Wei Kevin . The guy who got the 'Taylor Swift reporter' job says it's no different than being a sports journalist . 2023-12-28 . . en-US . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608030014/https://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-swift-reporter-job-like-covering-sports-2023-11 . live .
  8. Web site: Vassell . Nicole . 2023-09-13 . Taylor Swift specialist reporter is now a real job title . 2023-12-28 . . en . December 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231228232654/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-reporter-job-b2410535.html . live .
  9. Web site: Parkel . Inga . 2023-11-06 . How a superfan landed a job as America's first full-time Taylor Swift reporter . 2023-12-28 . . en . December 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231228232822/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/taylor-swift-reporter-gannett-bryan-west-b2442594.html . live .
  10. Web site: Valdez . Jonah . 2023-11-07 . That Taylor Swift reporter job has been filled by a self-proclaimed Swiftie, Bryan West . 2023-12-28 . . en-US . December 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231228232653/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-11-06/taylor-swift-reporter-job-filled-usa-today-bryan-west-tennessean . live .
  11. Kaufman . Gil . 2023-11-07 . New Full-Time Gannett Taylor Swift Reporter: 'No Different Than Being a Sports Journalist Who's a Fan of the Home Team' . 2023-12-28 . . en-US . December 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231228232653/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-gannett-reporter-bryan-west-talks-job-1235465200/ . live .
  12. Web site: Rosenbloom . Alli . 2023-11-06 . Taylor Swift reporter hired at Gannett after viral job listing . 2024-06-08 . . en . April 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240425190722/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/06/entertainment/taylor-swift-reporter-hired/index.html . live .

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