why is any journalist, blogger, or critic important? They are popular the vast majority of the time, and have earned it via their blog/podcast/magazine articles

why is any journalist, blogger, or critic important? They are popular the vast majority of the time, and have earned it via their blog/podcast/magazine articles. It's not because they're the best SME in the field or even ever practiced in the field, it's "can they bring things to light?" for the masses, and he often does.