The American History of Business Journalism (AHBJ) is a volunteer project developed by former SABEW president Philip Moeller and other business journalists, educators, and journalism students. It is sponsored by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW). The AHBJ’s goal is to host a comprehensive repository of articles, essays, reminiscences, and important milestones in the history of U.S. business journalism. And like all good histories, it wants to look ahead and not just in the rear view mirror – to be relevant to the practice of journalism today and tomorrow.
SABEW
The Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing is the primary membership organization of business journalists. SABEW’s members are joined together in the common pursuit of the highest standards of economic journalism, through both individual and collective efforts. Recognizing that economic freedom is inextricably linked to political freedom and that an informed citizenry can ensure that these freedoms are sustained, it is SABEW’s mission as an independent, not-for-profit organization to encourage comprehensive reporting of economic events without fear or favoritism and to upgrade skills and knowledge through continuous educational efforts. SABEW offers educational seminars and annual and regional member meetings involving presentations from leading business executives, economists, and experts from many fields, including leading business journalists. SABEW also sponsors the annual Best in Business Contest, which identifies and celebrates the best work of business journalists. SABEW is based at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University’s downtown Phoenix campus. Kathleen Graham is SABEW’s executive director.
Contributors
Scores of volunteers and writers have given freely of their time to develop the AHBJ. Marty Steffens, SABEW Chair in Business and Financial Journalism at the University of Missouri, provided funding and staffing support. Jonathan Steffens designed and developed the AHBJ site. Special thanks are due to Chris Roush, Senior Associate Dean, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, UNC Chapel Hill. Chris has helped improve most of the content on AHBJ.org and also supervised UNC journalism students in writing the Lives stories about past giants of American business journalism. Julia Schrenkler, interactive producer at Minnesota Public Radio, also provided invaluable help in web coding and project management smarts. Other notable volunteers include Mary Kate Baumann, Anne Dankelson, Martha Hamilton, Killeen King, and Armie Margaret Lee.