In class recently we discussed the idea of news reporters gaining a celebrity like status. I think this concept is definitely evident within Australian media with news anchors like Peter Hitchener and Lee Lin Chin gaining popularity outside the sphere of news, especially amongst millennials. It’s not uncommon to see posts plastered over social media and dating apps of a person posing with Peter Hitchener. After stepping down from her role at SBS World News, there were countless Facebook events being made to celebrate Lee Lin Chin’s career. Chin has also recently appeared in Uber Eats commercials alongside celebrities such as Rebel Wilson and Hamish Blake. Although it might to be a hard hitting nightly news program, The Today Show’s ex host, Karl Stefanovic, has also gained a notable celebrity like status within Australia as he regularly appears in gossip magazines such as the Daily Mail who heavily tracked his recent divorce. I believe social media apps such as Twitter and Instagram have massively aided these news personas in gaining a celebrity like status. Peter Hitchener currently has over 50,000 Instagram followers whilst Karl Stefanovic has over 200,000 Instagram followers and 430,000 Twitter followers. In using social media Hitchener, Stefanovic and Chin create a platform in which the Australian public can easily interact with them. Furthermore more personal photos are being posted on Instagram which gives the public an insight into who these news celebrities are when they aren’t at work. Although I do wonder if this stardom and constant usage of social media takes away the credibility of these news reporters. Particularly in the case of Stefanovic who is seen as being somewhat of a joke by the Australian public. But it could also be argued that news reporters having a celebrity like status and actively using social media for their personal life could be the new norm of the 21st century.