Editor: Shaw is the reason I stayed in business journalism

Sougata Mukherjee, the editor of the Triangle Business Journal, says that American City Business Journals chairman Ray Shaw is the reason why he has been in business journalism for 20 years.

Shaw died Sunday morning. He had run American City for 20 years.

Mukherjee says, “It was never what he said; for me it always was what he expected of me.

“I remember the time when I wanted to start the Washington bureau for ACBJ in the mid-1990s. He sat me down in his office and said, ‘Many forget the basic journalism traits once they get to Washington. That does not work for me or the company. We want you to cover the news and the issues that affect small businesses. Be focused and work hard.’

“And that really has been the mantra and the carrot that kept good journalists going at the Triangle Business Journal and newspapers across ACBJ.

“I have so many memories of us conversing on the status of journalism and his insights on our changing business climate.

“Personally, it is shocking and difficult for me right now to think his wisdom will not be available for us anymore. God bless you, Ray Shaw, and I am honored and blessed that you have been a part of my life for almost 20 years.”