The business beat

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen A. Merrigan, back right and Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, far right, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment, discuss renewable energy initiatives during a press conference at the officers club on Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Tuesday, April 6, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paul D. Honnick/Released)

The local business beat is more than shop openings and chamber of commerce meetings. Any kind of business — from organic agriculture to rock n’ roll — is interesting to readers & listeners & viewers.

The national business news agenda was once dominated by stock reports, interest rates and profiles of megalomaniac tycoons. These days, however, the agenda is expanding, with creative programs like Marketplace and web offerings like Bloomburg  news.   Topics include economics,  technology, agriculture,   medicine and even sports. Its also important to track government  agencies (the State Corporation Commission in Virginia) and, on the federal level, the Dept. of Labor,  the Dept. of Commerce, the FCC, the FTC and the  Securities and Exchange Commission.

Reporters should know how to find:

There are lots of resources for journalists, but one of the best is the Reynolds Center for Business Journalism

Another resource is Scoop, which is a blog for business reporters with tips on access to SEC filings and other national business stories.