Business journalism is about death and destruction

Candace Beeke, the publisher of Albuquerque Business First, writes about why death and destruction are important business news stories.

Beeke writes, “But before I went into reporting, I tried very hard not to. Although I had always been drawn to writing — my grandfather owned a typewriter business, for goodness’ sake — I knew that reporters often start out at their local paper covering the toughest news: death and destruction. I am profoundly grateful for the journalists who do this, because it’s news every community needs, but it takes an incredible toll on the individuals delivering it.

“Frankly, I wasn’t up to the task.

“So, I went into corporate public relations. For about 5 minutes.

“I missed the fast pace of journalism, the extreme dedication to truth telling without spin, the chance to talk to a variety of people and bring them news they needed. That’s when I found business journalism. I thought it was the perfect answer for me: interesting and sorely needed news without so much death and destruction.

“So I took a job in 2001 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, covering manufacturing. I loved it, but, as the state lurched into one of the strongest recessions in history, I learned very quickly that business journalism does not spare us from covering death and destruction. I spoke with many executives who were forced to close a company their grandparents created decades ago and terminate hundreds of employees who were like family to them.”

Read more here.