While business reporting is somewhat underrated in journalism, many journalists end up working in the field, New York Times business reporter Diana Henriques told 30 students Tuesday morning in the Psychology Building.
College of Communication professor Lou Ureneck’s ‘Introduction to Business and Economic Reporting’ class of nine graduate students, professor Rachel Ellner’s ‘Feature Writing’ class and other interested students attended.
Her lecture, which she said she also gives to beginning reporters at the Times, relayed her advice about writing in the business world. In the opening, she quoted Times columnist Floyd Norris about how important journalism is to the business and political world.
‘No senator would ever expect to reach the pinnacle of power in the United States without ever having talked to a reporter,’ she quoted.
Henriques’ speech focused on telling students about how to get involved in business journalism, even those who do not intend to report on business as a full time career. She said the mission of reporters regardless of their fields is to supply their readers with the information to make an informed decision.
Although she admitted that making business interesting to the public can be challenging, she encouraged each reporter to move past ignorance, the one factor that makes for an unprepared situation.
‘If you can read, you can cook,’ she said. ‘And if you can read you can learn business.’
Henriques also stressed the importance of keeping a ‘golden Rolodex’ of sources, saying ‘reporters know only what sources know.’ She encouraged each person to accumulate as many sources as possible because they will need the information for many articles.
Henriques has also worked for The Philadelphia Inquirer, been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize five times and worked in an array of mediums, including newspapers, magazines and television. She has also written three books focusing on the Fidelity Mutual Fund.
COM graduate student Huguan Jia said Henriques’ advice was applicable to real life.
‘One point I really liked about her speech was the cultivation of sources,’ Jia said. ‘I know from experience just how important it is to keep sources and to keep them updated.’
Ureneck contacted Henriques via email to arrange her appearance, and said he was very pleased with her lecture and the turnout it attracted.
Henriques usually charges a speaking fee, but she spoke to the students for free, Ureneck said. After the event, Henriques said she would give this lecture to any non-profit organization for free, in hopes of promoting business journalism.
On the Boston experience itself, Henriques a New York native said students’ intellect has impressed her. She said she has enjoyed her stay at Boston University and is returning with a thank-you gift from Ureneck a Boston Red Sox baseball hat.
