About Us

The American History of Business Journalism is a volunteer project developed by business journalists, educators, and journalism students. It is sponsored by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary during 2013. The AHBJ’s goal is to become 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.

The site as launched is and, ideally, always will be a work in progress. We invite you to become part of the process – suggesting or even writing new content, providing commentaries to content on the site, and, of course, bringing the AHBJ to the attention of others.

SABEW
The Society of American Business Editors and Writers is the primary membership organization of business journalists. It 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 aggressively supports and espouses the highest ethical standards in the practice of business journalism. It 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. Warren Watson 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. Thanks to all.

Philip Moeller
Editor
American History of Business Journalism