In 2014, we are seeing change on social issues such as same-sex marriage and marijuana legalization at a rate that is visibly faster than major social issues of the past. Statistics show that these issues are fan-favorites with the millennial generation, while also showing that this same group overwhelmingly dominates popular online platforms, a major tool that social issues of the past lacked. This study aims to examine whether or not there is a correlation between the online presence of millennials, the coverage by the media, and the policy-making decisions by legislators. With that idea in mind, perhaps we can prove that millennials have the ability to set the stage for social change. The instantaneous supply and demand of the Internet has created a climate where responses to our questions and ideas are expected faster than ever. By better understanding the dynamics of the relationships between these three groups, perhaps we can find solutions for creating change faster and more effectively.

Entertainment journalism is a field that is easily misunderstood. Too many times its credibility is overlooked in favor of its hard news and sports counterparts. But the celebrity and gossip reporting industry has been a fixture in American journalism since the early 20th century. Readership and demand has steadily increased in the past 50 years for it to become a booming industry of magazines, news shows, websites and blogs all devoted to covering a unique aspect of the entertainment industry. From news about Angelina Jolie’s pregnancy to the status of production on the Batman reboot, the content covered is as diverse as it is compelling. However, there are many who believe that this genre of journalism consists of untruthful, frivolous fluff crafted by conning liars disguised as writers. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the field of entertainment and celebrity journalism and describe how it should be treated as a serious and respected genre of journalism due to its rigorous standards and the significant impact it has on the industry it covers—Hollywood.