View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
November 13, 2013

Journalists need better economic training, new report shows

By Darren Boyle

Journalists lack the economic training necessary to deal with complex financial stories, a new study has shown.

The Carnegie UK Trust has found that since the economic meltdown of 2008, journalists have failed to improve their skills in the financial area despite its importance to the news agenda.

The Trust claims that as a result, this important story is being under-represented.

The researchers interviewed a number of journalists who expressed concern that the complex nature of financial stories was stretching their knowledge.

They also said that journalists found it hard to participate in professional development courses to improve their knowledge and understanding of macroeconomics.

The researchers found that civil leaders also had inadequate financial training.

Lauren Pennycook, Policy Officer, Carnegie UK Trust, said: “It is apparent through our research that there is a need and desire from individuals in these two groups to better understand macroeconomics. The interviewees were not expecting to become experts overnight, but would welcome having a better understanding of the impact of macroeconomics on wider society, as well as in their own fields. This could be beneficial in helping to influence policy, or interviewing a financial expert for a business story.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

“It was also interesting to find that those we interviewed were not aware of some of the macroeconomics training that is currently available. This provides a real opportunity for training providers to reach out to these groups, and develop training which is tailored to their needs in order to be beneficial and effective.

“We look forward to continuing the discussion around the need for economic literacy training with journalists, civil society leaders and wider organisations.”

The Carnegie Trust was established in 1913 by Scots-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and is designed to improve the lives of people in the UK and Ireland by influencing policy and conducting innovative research.

The Trust said journalists looking for details of economic literacy training can click on this link

 

 

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network