Taylor Swift and Beyoncé will soon be covered like the president. Not everyone is a fan.

Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are about to receive presidential-level coverage, but not everyone is thrilled about it. Recently, both USA Today and Nashville's The Tennessean newspaper posted job ads seeking reporters dedicated solely to covering these two pop superstars. This level of coverage is typically reserved for the President of the United States, and it's quite noteworthy as newsrooms face ongoing cutbacks.

The job postings made it clear that the reporters' work wouldn't focus on fluff pieces. Instead, they would be tasked with delving into these women's substantial impact on culture. The Swift job listing highlighted her skyrocketing fanbase and the growing significance of her music and legacy.

The Beyoncé listing shared a similar sentiment, acknowledging her status as an international superstar and icon whose influence spans generations. It emphasized her impact on topics ranging from race to relationships among women.

Both roles also require covering the artists' fanbases, necessitating international travel to keep up with their subjects. The compensation for these positions ranges from $21.63 to $50.87 per hour, with the higher figure equivalent to a six-figure annual salary.

Lark-Marie Anton, the Chief Communications Officer at Gannett, the company behind these publications, provided further insight into these positions. She explained that Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are not just artists but also influential businesswomen whose work carries immense economic and societal significance. They shape multiple industries and have a profound impact on our culture. The USA Today Network aims to cover newsmakers who impact lives across the nation in the communities they serve, delivering content that their audience desires.

However, this decision faced criticism from some quarters, with detractors arguing that reporting resources should be allocated elsewhere. Journalists like Adam Benson of the Sun News in Myrtle Beach, S.C., pointed out that Gannett, the largest newspaper publisher in the country based on circulation, reduced its workforce last year. In August 2022, 400 employees were laid off, followed by another 6% reduction in its news division in December.

The decision to dedicate reporters to cover Taylor Swift and Beyoncé has sparked debate over priorities and resource allocation within the news industry.