Business news is a type of journalism that tracks, records, analyzes and interprets the economic activities and changes that take place in societies. It can be found in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. In terms of specialized topics, business news often covers the stock market, the economy, corporate finance, personal finance, and government-related financial issues. Business journalists convey what is sometimes complex financial and economic information in a way that is accessible to a wide audience, so they are valued and well-compensated members of media organizations.
The word “business” refers to an entity that seeks profit from its activity, but it can also be a general term that encompasses any kind of transaction that involves goods or services exchanged for money or other valuables. Businesses can range in size from small sole proprietorships to massive corporations. They may be involved in manufacturing, retail or service industries. The underlying goal of all businesses is to generate some form of profit. Whether the profit is generated through direct sales of goods or services, through investing in stocks or cryptocurrencies, or through bartering in which goods and services are traded for other items of value, it doesn’t really matter as long as the end result is more revenue than expenditure.
This guide is primarily designed to help users find sources of business news, both national and international, from both print and online publications. It is intended to provide a starting point for research and should be used in conjunction with more in-depth resources available from the Library of Congress and other research libraries.
While there are many different types of business news sources, the vast majority are newspapers and magazines. There are also a number of specialized business news outlets, such as trade journals that focus on specific industries or segments of the economy. These may be useful for conducting industry research and keeping up with trends and developments that impact your organization.
The earliest business news outlets were newspaper ads that offered tips on trading commodities, followed by financial news and then political news. By the mid-1800s, a number of famous muckraking journalists began to expose unethical practices in business and the economy. This led to the founding of the first business news publications, such as The Wall Street Journal.
Today, business news is a major part of all print and online publications, and can be found across the globe in both local and global outlets. There are even a number of dedicated business news channels on the cable and satellite television industry, some of which are internationally focused. In addition to traditional business news sources, a growing number of blogs and social media sites feature news and commentary about the economy and businesses.
