Business news is a segment of journalism that reports on the economic and financial activities of societies. Its topics range from small-business trends and marketing strategies to big-budget acquisitions, and the resulting controversies. Most newspapers, magazines and radio- and television-news programs include a business section.
Generally speaking, for an activity to be considered business, it should involve the production of goods or services for sale to generate profit. This profit should be made on a regular basis, allowing a business to become sustainable over time. In contrast, non-profit activities like charitable work or nurturing a personal garden are not considered business because they do not involve the exchange of money for goods or services.
In the United States, business news is widely available in print and on TV, with popular outlets including The Wall Street Journal and CNBC. Online, the popularity of business news is even greater with major websites such as Yahoo Finance and The New York Times Business section seeing huge audiences.
The origins of business news are rooted in the early days of journalism. Around 1700, Daniel Defoe- best known for his novels, particularly Robinson Crusoe – began publishing newspaper articles detailing the arrival and departure of ships at ports in England and America. This was a major development for commerce as it allowed traders and merchants to stay abreast of market movements and make decisions accordingly.
By the 1900s, business news became more prevalent in printed form with newspapers such as The Times and The New York Herald offering comprehensive coverage of business and finance. The famous muckraking journalist Ida Tarbell’s expose of the Standard Oil Company in 1902 was instrumental in creating the template for how business news is reported today.
With a background in business operations, Katelyn Andrews oversees growth marketing at Business News Daily. She specializes in partnering with businesses to enhance their brands, execute efficient go-to-market strategies and support revenue growth. Prior to joining the team, she worked at all-in-one agencies and SaaS and technology companies. She is an avid reader and enjoys traveling in her spare time.
As a senior data analyst, Kevin Hoe helps to provide actionable business intelligence at Business News Daily. His experience as a product manager and technology consultant has shaped how he collaborates to empower colleagues with data-driven insights. His responsibilities at the publication include building data pipelines and models, designing self-service dashboards, and conducting research.
Adam Uzialko is a journalist with more than seven years of experience covering small business in a variety of capacities. He currently leads editorial content for Fit Small Business and previously was a senior editor at Participant Media. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from Emory University and a master’s from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. He is also a published author of a book on filmmaking and teaches writing courses in the Boston area. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and lives in Massachusetts with his wife.