A business is an organization or enterprising entity that engages in commercial, industrial and professional activities with the aim of producing and selling goods and services for profit. This includes a wide range of activities, from small-scale sole proprietorships to large multinational corporations. Businesses can be for-profit or non-profit, and they may be owned by private individuals, families, organizations, trusts, charities or governments.
Business news is the branch of journalism that covers current events and developments in the business world. This can include coverage of company mergers and acquisitions, quarterly earnings reports, leadership changes and new product launches. It can also cover economic trends and forecasts. Business news is an essential part of any news outlet, and it is widely available online and through many cable and satellite TV channels.
Finance news is often perceived as more serious than other forms of business news, because it can have real-world implications for the average person. Because of this, it’s important for journalists to make financial stories relatable to their audiences. This can be done by using vivid examples and explaining complex concepts in an understandable way. It can also help to incorporate visual aids, such as infographics and charts, which can capture the attention of readers and help them retain information.
People naturally avoid information they don’t understand, and jargon and numbers can make business news difficult to read and comprehend. This is especially true for those who are not financially savvy. It’s important for journalists to remember that their audience does not all consist of Wall Street brokers and “finance bros.”
It can be helpful to use analogies when covering business news, as this can make difficult-to-understand topics more relatable to a broader audience. For example, when discussing inflation, it’s important to explain how rising prices can affect everyday items that people need to survive. This can be done by explaining how a $1 increase in the price of bread could lead to higher food costs or how a rise in gas prices might impact commute times and traffic jams.
The Library of Congress provides access to a number of online sources for business news, including the Washington Post and Yahoo!. You can also find a selection of print and microform business newspapers in the Newspaper and Current Periodical Room. If you have questions about business news research, please contact a reference librarian. You can also Ask-A-Librarian for assistance.