B.Com. (Financial Markets) Financial Journalism Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026
This is the TY BFM syllabus under NEP 2020, in force from the academic year 2026-27. The University still sets the earlier Choice Based papers alongside it for ATKT candidates, so check which scheme your exam form names before you revise.
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Syllabus for Financial Journalism
MU prints this subject’s two module headings without the "Module 1:" and "Module 2:" prefixes it uses everywhere else in the same circular. The headings and all of their teaching are the University’s own; only the numbering has been supplied. MU heads this subject "(Sem.- VI)" in the syllabus circular. Both of the University’s own structure tables in the same document set it in Semester V, as the Vocational Skill Course offered as an alternative to Artificial Intelligence in Financial Markets; Semester VI is set no skill course at all. It is published here under Semester V.
Module I: Fundamentals of Financial Journalism
- Introduction to Financial Journalism
- Meaning and scope of financial journalism
- Role of financial journalists in society
- Difference between general journalism and financial journalism
- Understanding Financial and Economic Information
- Basics of financial markets and institutions
- Reading company financial statements for news reporting
- Understanding budgets, economic surveys, and policy announcements
- Sources of Financial News
- Corporate disclosures and press releases
- Stock market reports and financial data
- Government and regulatory announcements
Module II: Financial Reporting, Writing Skills and Ethics
- Financial News Writing
- Structure of a financial news report
- Writing headlines and leads for financial stories
- Simplifying complex financial information for the public
- Digital and Broadcast Financial Journalism
- Financial journalism in print, television, and digital media
- Use of data, charts, and infographics in financial news
- Role of social media in financial reporting
- Ethics and Challenges in Financial Journalism
- Ethical issues in financial reporting
- Insider information, confidentiality, and accuracy
- Fake news, market manipulation, and responsible journalism
Reference Books
- 1 The New Business Journalism – Chris Roush Insightful reference on covering corporations, markets, and economic policy.
- 2 Writing About Business: The New Columbia Knight-Bagehot Guide – Leonard Mogel Excellent guide for simplifying complex financial and economic information.
- 3 Financial Times Guide to Business Journalism – Stuart Ritchie Practical reference on financial reporting, data usage, and ethical challenges.
- 4 Media Ethics: Issues and Cases – Philip Patterson & Lee Wilkins Covers ethical dilemmas, insider information, accuracy, and responsible journalism.
- 5 Data Journalism Handbook – Jonathan Gray, Liliana Bounegru & Lucy Chambers Useful for digital journalism, data visualization, charts, and infographics in financial reporting.
Reproduced from the University of Mumbai syllabus for B.Com. (Financial Markets) under NEP 2020, in force from the academic year 2026-27. Wording is as printed in that syllabus. Module numbering is as printed there too.
The complete syllabus
This subject is cut from the University circular for its year. Open a document here if you want the whole thing rather than a single subject.