A business is any enterprising entity that makes a profit from the sale or exchange of goods and services. The term is most often used to describe commercial and industrial organizations, but it can also refer to professional firms and even non-profit entities. A business has many components, including marketing, operations, finance and management. In order to succeed, a business must develop a marketable product or service, and in order to sell that product or service it needs to advertise.
Business news is a form of journalism that tracks, records and analyzes the economic and financial activities of individuals and organizations. It is a prominent genre of journalism and can be found in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. This type of news can be useful to people in a variety of ways, including investing and employment. Business news is often considered a highly respected and lucrative form of journalism.
The origin of business news can be traced to 1700 when Daniel Defoe published his novel Robinson Crusoe. Then in 1882 Charles Dow, Edward Jones and Charles Bergstresser started a wire service that delivered stock market news to investment houses along Wall Street. And in 1902, muckraker Ida Tarbell published her groundbreaking reporting and writing on the Standard Oil Co. [1] These and other events marked the beginning of business news as a distinct and important journalistic genre.
Today, business is an extremely complex and global activity. It is not uncommon to find stories in the news that involve a wide range of industries and countries. The news can be about a company’s earnings report, the impact of tariffs on trade or how one country’s government is trying to encourage growth in its economy. In addition, businesses are often the target of various activist groups, which can create an environment that is challenging to work in.
The business of business news is to provide readers with the information they need to make wise decisions about their careers, finances and the world around them. It is a field that continues to grow and expand, making it an excellent career choice for someone interested in the world of commerce and capitalism.
The Library of Congress’ Business Reference Services team has developed this guide to help you access quality business news sources. While the focus of this guide is on U.S. sources, major international business news outlets are also included. This guide is designed to supplement other Library of Congress resources, including the Business Reference Desk and the Newspaper and Periodicals Room. For additional assistance with business research, please feel free to contact Ask-A-Librarian. You can use this online tool from anywhere in the world to connect with a live librarian who can assist you with your research questions. This service is available Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Time.