Discuss the failure of business journalism in reporting the great Essay

Discuss the failure of business journalism in reporting the great market crash of 1929 - Essay Example Furthermore, banks invested customers’ money in stock markets. The upward bound in the stock market was highly promising, and the great market crash in October 1929 hit everyone by surprise. Nevertheless, there had been warning signs like the mini-crash in March 25th, 1929 when prices began falling, but with the assurance of Charles Mitchell of the continued lending of money; the panic was suppressed (King 2000, p. 67). The spring of 1929 also gave more signs of a serious setback to the economy due to the slowing down of steel production, car sales and house constructions. During this time, some few individuals warned of impending serious crash in the stock markets, but they were cautioned, ignored and labelled as pessimists. Most economists believe in cycling of the overall economic activities between the expansion and contraction of the economic periods. The economic growth alternates with depressions and recessions. Analysis of the great depression indicates efforts by econ omists and journalists and their determination of the causes of depression (Burgan 2002, p.78). Discussion Business journalism requires that the journalists know exactly what is required, and the content should be critically analyzed before distribution to the audience. Some business journalists do not know the appropriate sources for their information to back up a story or an event. Others do not understand the principles of economics and the importance of stock markets. Some business reporting lack contextualization, which helps readers understand the meaning of the economic situation. The major goal of business reporting is to enhance more customer cover up and retention. This is especially notable since many people have shifted to the media for them to know the prevailing economic conditions. People simply want better business coverage (King 2000, p. 67). Business journalism in reporting during the great market crash The business journalists knew about the great depression, but their ignorance of the economic history was massive. Ignorance in expressing their opinions rendered everything wrong during their reporting on the great depression. For instance, in 1920, the forecasting reported on flourished economy and failure to recognize the coming depression, a factor that totally put them out of business. J. K. Galbraith’s reporting on The Great Crash 1929 relates to the forecasts of the Harvard Economic Service who failed in warning the business of impending depression. Galbraith wrote in November 1929 that the U.S. was not facing a protracted liquidation and that severe depression like that which was in 1929-1931 was less likely to be experienced. This, according to Wood, is shallow, misleading and lacks permanent value, and that any journalist who relies on ‘great market crash’ account by Galbraith deserves the sack (Ewing et al 2007, p. 1123-128). Business journalism failed to recognize the warnings from some economists of the impendi ng depression. For instance, Ludwig von Mises, in summer of 1929, refused a job offer in Kreditanstalt Bank since he saw the coming of the depression and feared to be associated with it. Furthermore, Mises warned that the loose money policies by central banks would have caused the depression. Also, Friedlich von Hayek warned of the impending depression in US. Writing from the Institute of Economic Research in