Which websites do personal finance journalists rely on in 2013?

Over the past few years, journalists have been rapidly adapting their behaviour to take advantage of the explosion of online services and content available to them. The findings of our 2013 survey of personal finance journalists (PFJs) show the variety of websites and social media sources now being used. Of these websites, Twitter is now by far the most used online source of information, with almost three quarters (73%) of PFJs using the platform to engage with colleagues, contacts and company representatives. Verbatim comments from journalists show that Twitter is used in various ways. Some use the service to manage and build relationships with PR officers, whilst others pose questions and float story ideas that the faster-reacting financial press teams may provide assistance with. The common theme is that Twitter is a communication channel that works for the fast-paced media environment. It provides the instant access to a wide range of contacts and the continual industry updates that journalists rely on in their role. After Twitter, the next most used online source of information is Headline Money, with 27% of journalists spontaneously mentioning the site as a useful source of information for press releases, financial data and PR contact information. LinkedIn is the only other named website that as many as a quarter of personal finance journalists use in their jobs.

• For further information on the survey results please contact the survey manager Chris O’Brien.

Research Technical Note: 194 Personal Finance Journalists were interviewed face-to-face by Ipsos, between 15th March – 10th April 2013.