Business news is the reporting of economic events, business trends and the development of businesses. It can be found in newspapers, magazines, television broadcasts, websites and radio stations. Business news can help investors, stakeholders and consumers make informed decisions about the economy, stock markets, companies and investments. It can also provide information about the effects of government regulations and global trade on businesses.
The term “business” is broadly defined to include any enterprise or undertaking that is primarily concerned with making profit through the sale of goods or services. This includes not only traditional commercial activities like sales and marketing, but also non-profit organizations and charitable endeavors. There are a wide variety of different types of business, from sole proprietorships and partnerships to corporations and non-profit organizations. Each has its own set of unique challenges and opportunities.
For example, a small, family-run grocery store might focus on local food production and distribution, while a large multinational corporation may concentrate on high-tech products or software development. Regardless of size, each business must deal with issues related to taxes, labor laws, supply chains and the impact of changes in the economy on its profitability.
In the context of journalism, business news covers all aspects of business and economic activity including company performance, new product launches, management changes, financial market developments, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance. It also focuses on the impact of business and economic developments on society and the environment. Business journalism is one of the most influential and important genres of contemporary media and has a long history dating back to 1700s when Daniel Defoe, best known for his novel Robinson Crusoe, began publishing financial and business news. The muckraking journalist Ida Tarbell helped to shape the future of business news with her investigative reports on the Standard Oil Co. in the 1890s.
Business news can be found in a number of different formats and outlets, from major international newspapers and newswires to regional and niche publications. General business news sources tend to focus on broad issues and trends while more focused trade publications often contain industry specific business news.
The Library of Congress maintains collections of print and microform business news sources, many of which are located in the Newspaper and Current Periodicals Room. For assistance in finding business news sources, contact a librarian at Ask-A-Librarian.
