Some Aspects of Business Journalism Need Improvement

By Chris Roush
June 14, 2007

I like a lot of what I see in business journalism. But there are many things that I don't like as well. Here are some of the things that bother me in the world of business journalism:

1 At every major newspaper's Web site, one of the main buttons on their news menu is "Business" -- except at one newspaper, The Washington Post. To find the business coverage there, you have to click on "News." That sends the signal that business news is not as important as "Sports" or "Arts & Living."

2 The lack of labor reporting at most newspapers is embarrassing. I'm not talking about "workplace" reporting that discusses things like how to get along with co-workers. I want to see coverage of unions and strikes and contract negotiations. Union membership is 15 percent of the U.S. workforce. It is not 15 percent of a business section's coverage.

3 Scorecard business journalism that tells readers the biggest companies in their state, or the "best places" to work based in nebulous factors that aren't ever explained. Do we think that business news consumers have that short of an attention span? Enron was named Fortune's Most Innovative Company multiple times. 'Nuff said.

4 Business news sections that can't determine if their readers are consumers or businessmen and women. Then their editors wonder why the weekly business paper in their market is gaining circulation and their section is being rolled into the back of sports. Don't waffle. Hard-nosed business coverage will bring readers back, but it has to be consistent.

5 Consumer and personal finance stories where the business journalist tells readers what to do with their money. Few journalists can pull this off with credibility. The Wall Street Journal's Walter Mossberg is one. Consumer Reports is another. But we're not investment gurus, and we're not product experts. Don't pretend that you are.

6 Business news departments that write about themselves when it's not news. The Wall Street Journal can write about whether its parent company is going to be sold to Rupert Murdoch. But a 15-inch story about your new business reporter is not news. There are better stories in your community.

7 Critics of business journalism who have never been one. Unless you've walked a mile in someone's shoes, you don't understand. Yes, business journalism has its problems. But the quality today is the best it's ever been, and it will get better. Nobody's perfect. But most business journalists are trying their best.

Copyright © 2008 Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism