ABSTRACT

Business Journalism: A Critical Political Economy Approach critically explores the failures of business journalists in striking the balance between the bottom line business model and their role in defending the public interest.

Drawing on historical and political economic perspectives and analysing these in relation to critical political economic theory, the book explores failures of business journalism through the dwindling of social responsibility in the business journalist’s role in holding political and corporate power to account.

Ibrahim Seaga Shaw draws on a diverse range of case studies, including:

  • investigative journalism in The Standard Oil and Enron Scandals
  • corporate propaganda in relation to business reporting
  • financial Journalism and the global financial crises of the late-90s and 2008
  • public business journalism and subprime mortgage loans, horsemeat and bent iPhone 6 scandals
  • ethical challenges of business and journalism from developed to emerging BRICS economies
  • business or financial journalism? Modernity vs postmodernity, macroeconomics vs microeconomics

  • challenges of business journalism in the digital age.

Business Journalism: A Critical Political Economy Approach is essential reading for students and scholars interested in understanding the historical failings and potential futures for business journalism and those wishing to develop specialist financial, economic and business reporting in today’s globalised media landscape.

chapter 1|16 pages

Introduction

Background and rationale of the political economy of business journalism

part I|50 pages

The crisis in the political economy of global capitalism

chapter 2|17 pages

The political economy of business and journalism

From paradox to crisis of capitalism

chapter 4|16 pages

From muckraking to investigative journalism

The Standard Oil Company and Enron scandals

part II|52 pages

The crisis in the political economic reporting of financial crises

chapter 5|22 pages

Reporting business and finance in crisis of identity!

From business journalism to financial journalism?

chapter 6|28 pages

Reporting financial crisis in crisis!

Critical comparative study of the reporting of the subprime mortgage loan and horsemeat scandals

part III|58 pages

The crisis in the political economy of business journalism

chapter 9|10 pages

Conclusion

A case for public business journalism and a look to the future