Challenging Economic Journalism

This book, inspired partly by journalism's failure to raise early warning flags in the run up to financial crises and by the rise of (economic) populism in recent years, puts forward a framework for economic journalism. It argues that that independent quality economic journalism is essential to the functioning of both the market and democracy but is under threat, and explores questions raised by the decline of media trust: what is the value of economic journalism? And how can journalists change their practices to counter this decline? The book takes a global approach with one chapter focusing on European integration and concludes with an outlook on the future of economic journalism, and the financing of journalism more widely.

This book provides a critical political economic examination of the impact of increasingly concentrated global media industries. It addresses different media and communication industries from around the globe, including film, television, music, journalism, telecommunication, and information industries. The authors use case studies to examine how changing methods of production and distribution are impacting a variety of issues including globalization, environmental devastation, and the shifting role of the State. This collection finds communication at a historical moment in which capitalist control of media and communication is the default status and, so, because of the increasing levels of concentration globally allows those in control to define the default ideological status. In turn, these concentrated media forces are deployed under the guise of entertainment but with a mind towards further concentration and control of the media apparatuses many times in convergence with others

Closely examining how the news media reports economic and financial matters, this book equips students with solid methodological skills for reading and interpreting the news alongside a toolkit for best practice as an economic journalist. How to Read Economic News combines theory and practice to explore the discourse surrounding economics in the mass media and how this specialised form of reporting can be improved. Beginning by introducing major concepts such as financialised economic reporting, media amnesia and loss of trust, the book goes on to help students to interpret, understand and analyse existing news discourse and to identify subtle biases in news reports stemming from hegemonic belief systems. The final section puts this analytical knowledge into practice, providing students with methods for the critical production of news and covering such skills as identifying newsworthiness, story sourcing, achieving clarity, and using complex datasets in news stories. This is a key text for students and academics in the fields of financial journalism and critical discourse analysis who wish to approach the subject with a critical eye.

The Routledge Companion to Business Journalism provides a complete and critical survey of the field of business and economic journalism. Beginning by exploring crucial questions of the moment, the volume goes on to address such topics as the history of the field; differentiation among business journalism outlets; issues and forces that shape news coverage; globalism; personal finance issues; and professional concerns for practicing business journalists. Critical perspectives are introduced, including: gender and diversity matters on the business news desk and in business news coverage; the quality of coverage, and its ideological impact and framework; the effect of the internet on coverage; differences in approaches around the world; ethical issues; and education among journalists. Contributions are drawn from around the world and include work by leading names in the industry, as well as accomplished and rising-star academics. This book is an essential companion to advanced scholars and researchers of business and financial journalism as well as those with overlapping interests in communications, economics, and sociology.

Business Journalism: A Critical Political Economy Approach critically explores the failures of business journalists in striking the balance between the bottom line business model and their role in defending the public interest. Drawing on historical and political economic perspectives and analysing these in relation to critical political economic theory, the book explores failures of business journalism through the dwindling of social responsibility in the business journalist’s role in holding political and corporate power to account. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw draws on a diverse range of case studies, including: investigative journalism in The Standard Oil and Enron Scandals corporate propaganda in relation to business reporting financial Journalism and the global financial crises of the late-90s and 2008 public business journalism and subprime mortgage loans, horsemeat and bent iPhone 6 scandals ethical challenges of business and journalism from developed to emerging BRICS economies business or financial journalism? Modernity vs postmodernity, macroeconomics vs microeconomics challenges of business journalism in the digital age. Business Journalism: A Critical Political Economy Approach is essential reading for students and scholars interested in understanding the historical failings and potential futures for business journalism and those wishing to develop specialist financial, economic and business reporting in today’s globalised media landscape.

This edited volume, which elaborates on the idea and concept of sustainable journalism, is the result of a perceived lack of integral research approaches to journalism and sustainable development. Thirty years ago, in 1987, the Brundtland Report pointed out economic growth, social equality and environmental protection as the three main pillars of a sustainable development. These pillars are intertwined, interdependent, and need to be reconciled. However, usually, scholars interested in the business crisis of the media industry tend to leave the social and environmental dimensions of journalism aside, and vice versa. What Is Sustainable Journalism? is the first book that discusses and examines the economic, social and environmental challenges of professional journalism simultaneously. This unique book and fresh contribution to the discussion of the future of journalism assembles international expertise in all three fields, arguing for the necessity of integral research perspectives and for sustainable journalism as the key to long-term survival of professional journalism. The book is relevant for scholars and master's students in media economy, media and communication, and environmental communication.