It’s the job of a journalist to bring light to stories and people, but it’s not often they are in the spotlight.

At PritchittBland Communications we run a special blog series where we put the spotlight on Australian financial journalists and dig a little deeper to find out where they’ve come from and what drives a good story. See it from their perspective and read the interview with our next guest, Matt Bell, markets reporter at The Australian Financial Review.

Why did you decide to go into journalism?

From a young age, I was drawn to the news — I grew upreading my dad’s weekend newspapers, always starting with the sports pages before working my way forward. Initially, I dreamed of being a sports commentator covering cricket and Formula 1, but as I grew up and accepted that elite sporting success wasn’t in the cards, journalism seemed the more realistic career path.

What stayed constant was my fascination with how news comes together — the pace, the pressure, and the opportunity to be close to major events. Ultimately, it’s the chance to help make complex stories understandable that drew me into journalism.

What about the finance industry interests you the most?

Finance was not on my radar while at university, and I fell into it while working at a trade publication in Montreal after graduation, and it quickly became clear what a fascinating industry it is and the amount of career prospects.

What makes it compelling is that it sits at the intersection of politics, business and society. Every major issue — from inflation and housing to geopolitics — ultimately feeds through markets and the economy.

It is also a great industry for personal development, one where every day you genuinely do learn something new. As someone who loves data and statistics there is no shortage of stats and story ideas.

What are you looking forward to seeing happen in the financial landscape in the next 5 years?

The next five years are shaping up to be unusually consequential for markets and the broader economy, especially after a decade defined by COVID-19, persistent inflation, and now the Middle East conflict.

A key question will be how central banks navigate the delicate balance between controlling inflation and supporting growth. At the same time, structural shifts are accelerating: the energy transition, the rise of AI, and changes in global trade patterns. It seems we are in the middle of a major shift and one I look forward to seeing how it plays out.

From a reporting perspective, what’s most compelling is tracing how these high-level trends translate into everyday impact — how companies adapt, how governments respond, and how households feel it.

What makes a good story?

At its core, a good story has to matter — it needs to be relevant to readers and give them information they didn’t have before.

That can mean breaking genuinely new information, advancing an existing story in a meaningful way, or providing insight that helps people understand why something is happening.

In financial journalism especially, it’s not just about reporting what happened — it’s about explaining what it means. The best stories connect the dots, cut through complexity, and leave the reader feeling more informed than when they started.

What advice would you give to executives when they are talking to the media?

The most effective executives are the ones who go beyond the surface and are willing to provide genuine insight.

Journalists are always trying to understand not just what is happening, but why — so being able to explain the broader context, or what sits behind a decision, is valuable.

Clarity is also critical. Finance can be opaque, so the ability to explain complex ideas in simple, quotable terms makes a big difference for readers. If someone unfamiliar with the topic can understand it, you’re far more likely to get your message across.