The newspapers are not limited to news alone. They also provide analysis, and understanding, of political, social, and economic issues. For the art lovers, they review a wide range of artistic activities. These include reviews of plays, concerts, recitals, films, books, art exhibitions, musical recordings, etc.
The media reviews are done by individuals who are very knowledgeable about their respective fields. The reviewers may either be on the staff of a newspaper or commissioned by a newspaper to write on issues about which they have extensive domain knowledge. They may be theatre artists, film personalities, painters, musicians or authors. But you can be sure that they are passionate about their subjects.
The newspapers commission them to write reviews for three key reasons. These are:
Reason 1
The media reviews help the readers make an informed decision on the intrinsic merit of a play, a film or a concert. Based on this, the readers decide to go to the theatre and watch a performance or go to the cinema hall and watch a newly released film. The same applies to book reviews or to reviews of art exhibitions. The ratings given by reviewers are especially useful, and help readers make informed decisions.
Reason 2
The media reviews give performers an insight into the quality of their performances. They learn how their work is being judged, and gives them a reason to look at their blemishes and improve upon their performances. Sometimes, the artists get peeved by the comments of the reviewers, and dismiss them as biased. It is therefore important that the reviewers are well informed. Only then their reviews will be respected.
Reason 3
The media reviews are like a historical record. They reflect the artistic accomplishments of an era, and are very valuable for art historians who go through the reviews to judge how art evolved during a certain period in time.
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