From business journalist to editor-in-chief
Posted by Cyril Gros on December 17, 2007 at 3:19 PM
The British press now counts numerous business journalists among top positions. Business has grown both as a newspaper section and cultural phenomenon for the last 25 years.
In the UK, many business journalists have managed to reach the editor’s chair, in contrast with the former image they had in the newsroom.
For example, this month, James Harding, The Times business editor and formerly a Financial Times stalwart, became editor of the paper. So had Robert Thomson, his predecessor, who moved to being publisher of The Wall Street Journal. Will Lewis, Daily Telegraph editor, was also a business journalist.
The rise of interest for the business section from the press lords and from the Britons began in the 80s.
"The business pages used to be regarded as backwaters. Newspaper editors kept a wary eye on them, because they had a habit of generating libel writs, but otherwise didn't bother to read them," reported the Guardian.
Formerly regarded as backwaters, the business pages are now often considered most serious information. The Guardian now places its business section among the leading pages. Two simple reasons can explain the change.
"First, the country in general and the press in particular became more obsessed with money," reported the Guardian. "Second, newspapers are themselves money-making businesses, in a sense they were not 30 years ago."
Newspapers now serve readers who are also investors, who have an interest in pension schemes that depend on stock-market movements, in house prices and, as borrowers or savers, in interest rates.
On the other hand, press groups have also changed their mentality in the last 30 years. Media conglomerates consider newspapers as just another business venture. They appreciate to have editors who can understand business issues, shareholder value and marketing techniques. More than ever, editors are also business managers.
Source: Guardian unlimited
For example, this month, James Harding, The Times business editor and formerly a Financial Times stalwart, became editor of the paper. So had Robert Thomson, his predecessor, who moved to being publisher of The Wall Street Journal. Will Lewis, Daily Telegraph editor, was also a business journalist.
The rise of interest for the business section from the press lords and from the Britons began in the 80s.
"The business pages used to be regarded as backwaters. Newspaper editors kept a wary eye on them, because they had a habit of generating libel writs, but otherwise didn't bother to read them," reported the Guardian.
Formerly regarded as backwaters, the business pages are now often considered most serious information. The Guardian now places its business section among the leading pages. Two simple reasons can explain the change.
"First, the country in general and the press in particular became more obsessed with money," reported the Guardian. "Second, newspapers are themselves money-making businesses, in a sense they were not 30 years ago."
Newspapers now serve readers who are also investors, who have an interest in pension schemes that depend on stock-market movements, in house prices and, as borrowers or savers, in interest rates.
On the other hand, press groups have also changed their mentality in the last 30 years. Media conglomerates consider newspapers as just another business venture. They appreciate to have editors who can understand business issues, shareholder value and marketing techniques. More than ever, editors are also business managers.
Source: Guardian unlimited
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