Meet the Press: Survey Evidence on Financial Journalists as Information Intermediaries

54 Pages Posted: 9 Nov 2018 Last revised: 27 Feb 2023

See all articles by Andrew C. Call

Andrew C. Call

Arizona State University (ASU) - School of Accountancy

Scott A. Emett

Arizona State University (ASU) - School of Accountancy

Eldar Maksymov

Arizona State University (ASU) - School of Accountancy

Nathan Y. Sharp

Texas A&M University - Department of Accounting

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: November 2021

Abstract

We survey 462 financial journalists and conduct 18 interviews to obtain insights on the inputs to their reporting, the incentives they face, and the factors that influence their coverage decisions. We report many findings relevant to the accounting literature and identify multiple avenues for future research. For example, financial journalists say the likelihood they write about a specific company or CEO increases when the company is controversial or the CEO has a colorful personality, suggesting journalists gravitate toward provocative topics. We also find that financial journalists routinely use company-issued disclosures and private phone calls with company management when developing articles, and that they believe they are evaluated primarily on the accuracy, timeliness, and depth of their articles. Journalists also believe monitoring companies to hold them accountable is one of financial journalism’s most important objectives, but they often face negative consequences for writing articles that portray companies in an unfavorable light.

Keywords: business press, financial journalists, media, information intermediaries, social media, financial analysts

JEL Classification: M40, M41, M49, G10, G14, G20, G29, L82

Suggested Citation

Call, Andrew C. and Emett, Scott A. and Maksymov, Eldar M. and Sharp, Nathan Y., Meet the Press: Survey Evidence on Financial Journalists as Information Intermediaries (November 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3279453 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3279453

Andrew C. Call (Contact Author)

Arizona State University (ASU) - School of Accountancy ( email )

Tempe, AZ 85287
United States

Scott A. Emett

Arizona State University (ASU) - School of Accountancy ( email )

Tempe, AZ 85287
United States

Eldar M. Maksymov

Arizona State University (ASU) - School of Accountancy ( email )

Tempe, AZ 85287
United States

Nathan Y. Sharp

Texas A&M University - Department of Accounting ( email )

4353 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4353
United States
979-845-0338 (Phone)

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