What biz reporters can do that computers will never be able to
Business journalist Max Frumes, the founder of Quant Media, explores the efforts of the three big players in business journalism — Bloomberg, Dow Jones and Reuters — in terms of using computers to produce content and concludes that reporters still provide a necessary function. Frumes writes, “The work that it takes to regularly generate scoops […]
Picking the brains of colleagues for a story
San Diego Union-Tribune business reporter Lori Weisberg was interviewed about how she put together her Sunday story on the economic impact of Qualcomm to the region. Here is an excerpt: This story really isn’t on your beat. How did you approach it? Because Qualcomm and the whole technology sector are pretty far removed from what I cover […]
How young reporters have gotten ahead in business journalism
The Society of American Business Editors and Writers hosted a conference call Monday afternoon to talk with young financial journalists about their impact through strong beat reporting. Jon Chesto, Boston Globe business reporter, moderated a panel that brought together Jillian Berman, New York-based reporter for MarketWatch; Sarah Frier, technology reporter for Bloomberg; and Jen Wieczner, […]
Tech news sites quietly use this word too much
Tim Ellis of Geekwire writes about how tech news sites use the word “quietly” in headlines and stories to excess, often creating drama when it’s not needed. Ellis writes, “Apparently whenever a tech company does anything without publishing a press release and running ads during Monday Night Football, tech news sites have decided that the […]
Steel of NY Times talks about the O’Reilly story
New York Times media reporter Emily Steel spoke with UNC-Chapel Hill School of Media and Journalism dean Susan King about her career and how she and reporter Michael Schmidt broke the news about Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly’s sexual harassment history. Steel said that the story originated after Fox News head Roger Ailes was ousted […]
What can’t be captured by a computer writing earnings stories
Business journalist Max Frumes writes about how computer software often misses important news when it writes earnings stories. Frumes, the founder of Quant Media, writes, “On Aug. 1, sports apparel and footwear company Under Armour reported that it would be undergoing an operational restructuring that would include layoffs and cost from $110 million to $130 million for […]
Testy Biz Copy Editor: Baby steps for the puzzled investor
An investor who bought Google stock 13 years ago at its IPO price of $85 would now own a piece of the company worth about 22 times their original investment. That also takes into account the company’s stock split in 2015, when it restructured under a larger company called Alphabet. Put it another way: A […]
Las Vegas biz reporter Millward helps out with shooting coverage
Las Vegas Review-Journal business reporter Wade Millward texted his editor and said he was available to help after hearing about the shooting at a country music concert that killed 59 and injured more than 500. He ended up working from 11:30 p.m. Sunday to 5 p.m. on Monday. Justine McDaniel of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes, “He was told […]
When you cover the industry you’re working in
Sydney Ember, the media reporter for The New York Times, writes about covering the media industry. Ember writes, “One thing I’ve learned: Covering my own industry can be a tricky business. “I am often asked to write about our direct competitors, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and CNN. Many people at The […]
A one-man investigative business journalism center
Laura Hazard Owen of the Nieman Lab writes about business journalist Roddy Boyd and his Southern Investigative Reporting Foundation, which produces investigative stories about companies. Owen writes, “Boyd always wanted to be a reporter, but he got married young and, by his early 20s, had a wife and two little kids to support. So, for […]
