Behind every edition of L'Echo, a well-oiled machine is at work from dawn. We're taking a look behind the scenes of the editorial staff of a Belgian business newspaper, from the selection of stories to the printing press.
Business news never sleeps, and at L'Echo we know that better than anyone. In a world where every figure counts, where a political decision can turn markets upside down in an instant, the daily's editorial team is busy deciphering the news. But how does this newspaper, a reference in the Belgian business press, put together its information, and above all how does it juggle the immediacy of the news with in-depth analysis? We went behind the scenes to find out more.
A clear and strong editorial line
When we arrived at the office of L'Echo, Paul Gérard, its editor-in-chief, greeted us with a quick smile and a enthusiastic glance. The screens were lighting up, the coffees were lined up on the desks and the first conversations were getting lively. It's barely 9.30 am in the editorial offices of L'Echo, but the pace is picking up already. Just a few metres from Tour & Taxis in Brussels, a well-orchestrated musical score is being played: that of the production of one of the country's most influential business newspapers.
Here, we don't chase the hype: we analyse, explain and put things into perspective. ‘In L'Echo, you can expect information and decoding. We contextualise, we zoom out and we go beyond news for a business community in the broadest sense of the term,’ says Paul. So there's no question of sacrificing accuracy for the sake of sensationalism. Business news can be complex, but the role of the magazine is precisely to make it accessible without oversimplifying it. ‘Our number one asset is credibility. When you read L'Echo, you know that the news is rock-solid,’ says Paul.
A fast-paced, well-oiled organisation
At L'Echo, news about the economy is something you can read, listen to and watch. The printed newspaper continues to exist, but digital technology has transformed reading habits. ‘We are both a print publication and a digital platform, with an app, a website and podcasts such as Le Brief, which summarises the news from 7 am, and Tracker, aimed at investors,’ explains the editor-in-chief. Today, the business media also includes newsletters and videos, although the app and website are the first point of reference for L'Echo readers.
’Economics and politics are interdependent, and it's in their interests to talk to each other!’ - Paul Gérard, Editor-in-Chief
This multi-media offer goes hand in hand with a well-oiled organisation. There's no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’ routine,’ he says, ’and that's what's so great about it. From 7 am to 11 pm, subjects are debated, analysed and weighed up. The editorial team operates in specialised units, each bringing its own expertise to the table, and the discussions are often lively.
Economics and politics: friends and foes
Paul Gérard insists on the essentials of L'Echo: verification, explanation and contextualisation, without ever sacrificing the quality of the information. But within the editorial team, there is also a desire to be more educational. While L'Echo has always had an analytical approach, we need to go even further to make economic issues accessible to everyone. ‘The economy is not a subject for specialists only. It touches on many aspects of life. In business, there aren't just economists in the room: there are also employees, people looking for work, as well as companies in different fields. The world of business also includes consumerism, artificial intelligence...' the editor-in-chief points out.
For L'Echo, we need to succeed in rebuilding the link between society and business. ‘Politics and economics often tend to evolve separately, with one criticising the other for not understanding it. In reality, they are interdependent and have every interest in talking to each other’, he maintains.
Why read L'Echo?
Why should an entrepreneur read L'Echo? Paul Gérard smiles at this question, because the answer seems so obvious to him: ‘Regardless of their sector, we cover subjects that are relevant to the lives of all entrepreneurs. Taxation, regulation, funding opportunities, market trends... these are just some of the issues that influence the lives of businesses. Over the years, L'Echo has become a privileged partner of the business world.
The link with Beci is a natural one. ‘We, too, connect entrepreneurs and businesses. Bringing them together creates a more interesting dynamic and peer learning,’ he adds. In fact, Paul Gérard and his colleague Pauline Deglume, a journalist specialising in Brussels, were present at Beci's rebranding evening. Together, they chose to write the Editorial for the next issue of their newspaper live.
As we leave the editorial office, the clatter of keyboards is still echoing. A final check, an analysis to refine... Here, the news never stops. At L'Echo, the important thing is not to be the first to publish, but to be the first to inform well.
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