A gossip columnist chronicles the lives of celebrities and the wealthy. Generally speaking, gossip columns are written for magazines or newspapers. Both print and online publications hire this type of columnist to write a mix of facts and opinions about famous people. In some cases, television and radio programs interview gossip columnists about their celebrity knowledge and opinions. To work as a gossip columnist, one typically needs a background in journalism as well as knowledge of and interest in the lives of celebrities.
Reporting on celebrity news is usually part of a gossip columnist’s job description. A gossip columnist might write about a well-known actress’s recent divorce or express his thoughts on a prominent politician’s indiscretions. In most cases, gossip columns include both fact and opinion. A gossip columnist must exercise caution when defaming celebrities in order to avoid exposing himself and his publication to legal action. As a safeguard, publications with editorial policies usually require that information shared in a gossip column come from a reputable source.
To work as a gossip columnist, one must have excellent writing and interviewing skills. Many columnists with established publications have a journalism degree and/or experience. A columnist must be able to interview and converse comfortably with sources. The celebrity’s publicist, friend, family member, colleague, or other person who is intimately familiar with the celebrity’s life could be the source for the gossip story. Because some gossip columnists are interviewed by television and radio shows, they must be comfortable speaking in front of crowds.
A variety of publications offer opportunities for gossip columnists. Gossip magazines, also known as tabloids, are common employers of gossip columnists because they are solely dedicated to discussing the private lives of celebrities. This type of columnist is frequently hired by newspapers to write for their entertainment sections. A gossip columnist might be hired by a sports magazine to write a monthly column about the personal lives of individual athletes.
Writers for online magazines, newspapers, and blogs are known as online gossip columnists. Online gossip columnists have instant access to their audiences because they use the Web to publish their columns. Before being published, a gossip column written for a large online publication is usually subjected to editorial review. The blog owner who writes his own gossip columns, on the other hand, is unlikely to use an editorial process. The ability to interact with audiences by reading and responding to online comments is provided by an online platform for gossip columnists.