Business news covers a variety of topics related to the economy, finance and commerce. This category of news is often categorized by industry and may be reported on in terms of local, regional or national implications. News of this type is usually reported by mainstream media outlets such as newspapers and television channels. More specialized publications, such as trade journals or industry guides, can also provide valuable information in this area.
A business is an organisation which exchanges goods and services for profit. This can be in the form of a not-for-profit (where profit is invested back into the company), or a for-profit, where the profit is returned to the owners. There are many types of businesses including retail, wholesale and manufacturing.
The practice of business has been around for a long time, dating back to the 1700s when Daniel Defoe wrote about his experiences trading on the island of Jamaica. Later, muckraking journalists such as Ida Tarbell contributed to the rise of business journalism. Today there are many forms of business news, and it is one of the most prominent categories in journalism.
The most common sources for business news are newspapers and magazines, both in print and online. These publications can range from broad and general in scope to highly specialised, covering particular industries. Online resources are particularly prolific and offer the advantage of being available 24/7. Some of the more popular business news sources include The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times.
Other publications that may contain business news content include newsletters, blogs and trade publications. These can be particularly useful for sourcing specific business-related information, but they should not be considered a substitute for more traditional sources.
When researching business news, it is important to remember that the context of the news can have a significant impact on its relevance and importance. For example, local news has the potential to be more relevant than global or international news. Additionally, if the news is accompanied by specific details or statistics, it can increase its value as a source of business information.
This guide has been created by the Business Reference Services team at the Library of Congress to assist users in finding and using business news sources. While this guide includes a wide selection of resources, it is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Additional business news resources can be found in the Library of Congress’s Newspaper and Current Periodical Collections and through Ask-A-Librarian services.