Qwestion and Answer with Niraj Shah, Markets Editor at Bloomberg Quint

Qwoted is committed to exploring the current state of the media by speaking to industry leaders and educating future generations of media professionals. What has social media and technological innovation brought to the table? What can we expect for the future of journalism?

A valued member of Qwoted’s Media Advisory Board, Niraj Shah rose from an Anchor to Stocks Editor at ET Now, before becoming the Markets Editor at Bloomberg Quint. Shah has a true appreciation and understanding of financial markets, and though he analyzes all facets of the financial world, his first and only love is equity markets. Shah’s passion for equities and flair for presenting them lucidly has helped pave his career path and become the commentator he is today. Shah loves helping people make educated investment decisions and encourages future generations of journalists to stick to their aspirations of producing quality work. “Success may not come at the pace that you want, but come it will,” says Shah.

Q: Social media has upended the traditional media landscape. One of the great challenges it creates is authenticity and malevolent actors. How do think journalists and reporters should deal with the rising tide of misinformation?

NS: Doing so can be tedious and difficult. Thankfully, in business journalism, numbers help ratify journalists’ claims and boosts credibility. There are very few grey areas, and there’s no dancing around things – if a number is bad, its bad. Over time, this could make a particular difference on information that’s spread via social media.

Q: What are some of the best practices from journalism’s past that you feel need to be utilized now?

NS: Firsthand research, which is not as strong as it was in earlier years, in my humble opinion. I think a lot of reporters now opt for the easy way out, which is supported by the number of stories that are disproven these days.

Q: What learnings have made a tremendous difference in your career?

NS: Fostering relationships and maintaining sources and their discretion are key elements of journalists’ responsibilities. Many times, small inadvertent misses of maintenance or discretion have led to negative effects.

Q: What gives you hope for the future of journalism?

NS: The desire of some people to pursue a career here because it excites them, despite the professional and personal challenges. The hope is that there will be a place for bipartisan independent media (a rare breed in and of itself) that pays a decent wage. Most people aspire to reach the fame associated with being a successful journalist, but there’s a true need for better remunerative options.