Music Journalism as an Agent of Cultural Transmission

Music has remained one of the most enduring cultural expressions through which societies communicate values, preserve collective memories, and construct social identities across generations. Despite extensive scholarly attention to the cultural functions of music, insufficient emphasis has been placed on the role of music journalism as a significant intermediary in the preservation, interpretation, and transmission of musical knowledge within society. This paper, therefore, examines music journalism as an important agent of cultural transmission, with particular attention to its role in preserving musical heritage, promoting artistic visibility, shaping public discourse, and fostering cultural connections among diverse communities. The study adopted a qualitative research approach through documentary analysis of existing scholarly literature and media-based materials. It was anchored on Cultural Transmission Theory as propounded by Cavalli-Sforza and Feldman (1981), which explains how cultural knowledge, practices, values, and artistic expressions are communicated, sustained, and transformed across generations and social contexts. Findings reveal that music journalism extends beyond the conventional function of entertainment reporting to serve as a vital mechanism for documenting musical traditions, preserving historical records, interpreting artistic meanings, promoting musicians and musical genres, and facilitating intercultural dialogue. The study further establishes that although contemporary digital technologies have transformed the practice of music journalism and broadened participation in musical criticism and commentary, professional music journalism remains essential for maintaining accuracy, critical standards, and meaningful cultural representation. The paper concludes that music journalism constitutes an indispensable cultural institution that connects musicians, audiences, and societies through the continuous documentation and dissemination of musical experiences. It recommends increased professional training for music journalists, greater investment in digital and physical archiving of musical materials, and stronger collaboration among scholars, media institutions, and cultural organisations to ensure the preservation and promotion of indigenous and contemporary musical traditions.