Bryan West Hired as Gannett's First Dedicated Taylor Swift Beat Reporter Amid Mixed Reactions

New reporter promises fair coverage despite being a fan, while critics imply the role should have been filled by someone with a stronger focus on music industry reporting instead of a Swift superfan.

Bryan West, a 35-year-old journalist and self-proclaimed Taylor Swift fan, has been hired as Gannett's first dedicated Taylor Swift beat reporter.
West's appointment came after a viral job posting in September seeking a journalist who could cover Swift's music and cultural impact, generating applications from veteran journalists and Swift superfans alike.
West will report on all things Swift for USA Today and Gannett's 200+ local dailies, including coverage at red carpets, tour stops, and award ceremonies.
West's appointment has received mixed reactions, with some critics arguing the role should have been filled by someone focused on music industry reporting, and others expressing disappointment that a man was chosen to cover a female artist known for her female-centric music.
Despite being a Swift enthusiast, West maintains that he will be capable of reporting on Swift without bias and will even be able to deliver critical reports if required.