The importance of financial news in the current economy

Kathy English, the public editor of the Toronto Star, writes Saturday about how public interest in financial news has soared in the past few weeks.

English writes, “Anxiety about the economy in the midst of uncertainty is a story that affects almost everyone at the most basic level of their personal financial security, and the media have a responsibility to report from a variety of perspectives. Readers look to and depend on trusted media sources for answers: How much savings did we lose? Is my job safe? Will I be able to fund my retirement? Did the value of our home drop?

“Those are the questions of the lucky middle classes. For those less privileged, the questions are more dire: What happens when our EI runs out? What’s left for groceries this month? Where will we live?

“Far more challenging and complex questions regarding accountability for this global crisis also demand answers. How and why did this happen and who is responsible? With elections underway in Canada and the U.S., this is now more than an economic story – it’s become the primary narrative driving both election campaigns, and the media must hold politicians to account here.”

Read more here.