João Souza
Verified
(He/Him)
As seen in:
Gazeta Mercantil,
G1 Globo,
MDPI,
Perfil,
tnh1.com.br,
Dialnet - Universidad de La Rioja,
Journal of Information Systems & Technology Management
Covers:
Business, economy, financial markets, macroeconomics, interest rates, inflation, central banking, public finance, corporate earnings, investments, fintech and global markets.
Doesn't Cover:
Entertainment, celebrity news, sports, lifestyle, fashion, culture, personal opinion pieces or promotional content without economic relevance.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
My first role involved reporting and research focused on economic and public policy issues, where I learned the fundamentals of accuracy, sourcing and analytical reporting.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, briefly. It was a good reminder of how technology has changed the pace of reporting, while the core principles of journalism remain the same.
How is social media changing news?
Social media has accelerated the news cycle and expanded access to information, but it has also increased the risk of noise, misinformation and shallow coverage. It forces journalists to be faster while remaining accurate.
The challenge is to use social platforms as tools for sourcing and distribution without letting them replace verification, context and editorial judgment.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Woodward and Bernstein, for representing persistence, accountability and the importance of investigative reporting.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being a journalist means holding power and markets accountable through accurate, independent and contextual reporting. It requires discipline, curiosity and a commitment to facts over opinion.
Journalism exists to inform the public, clarify complex issues and provide the context people need to understand decisions that shape economies, businesses and society.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
#BreakingButNotReally — a reminder that not everything labeled as “breaking news” actually is.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email is preferred. Pitches should be concise, clearly relevant to business and economic coverage, and include concrete data, context and access to authoritative sources.
I’m particularly interested in stories supported by original analysis, market impact, or new information, rather than promotional announcements. Please include why the story matters now and how it fits into broader economic or financial trends.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I rely on a mix of data platforms, public databases and standard newsroom tools. Spreadsheets for analysis, document databases for research, and communication tools for sourcing are essential to my daily reporting.
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIn. It’s where professionals, executives and policymakers share insights, data and context that are relevant to business and economic reporting.
Who do you wish followed you?
People who are directly involved in the economy — economists, policymakers, business leaders and researchers who can contribute informed perspectives and data-driven insights.
Why did you become a journalist?
To help people understand how economic decisions are made and how they affect businesses, public policy and everyday life. Journalism, when done well, brings clarity and accountability to complex systems that shape society.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No. My interest in journalism developed later, through a focus on economics, public affairs and how financial decisions impact society.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Stories that help readers understand how economic and financial decisions affect businesses, public policy and everyday life. I’m especially proud of work that brings clarity to complex economic issues and adds context beyond the headlines.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Focus on fundamentals. Learn how to read data, financial statements and public records before worrying about speed or visibility. Strong reporting is built on accuracy, context and verification.
Be curious about how economic decisions affect real people and businesses, and always ask who benefits and who bears the cost. Develop sources over time, listen more than you speak, and be transparent about what you know and what you don’t.
Finally, treat journalism as a public service. Independence, clarity and consistency matter more than trends or short-term attention.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Weekdays during business hours work best. Timely and well-prepared pitches tied to current economic or market developments are always welcome.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
The best pitches are those that clearly explain why the story matters, are supported by solid data, and offer access to knowledgeable sources. A concise message that connects new information to broader economic or market trends always stands out.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Pitches that are clearly unrelated to my beat or lack basic context and data. Generic mass emails that ignore what the outlet covers tend to be the least effective.
What's your favorite drink?
Coffee.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Reading, following economic developments, or meeting sources to better understand the issues behind the headlines.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Financial Times, for its depth, global perspective and rigorous approach to business and economic reporting.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That business and economic reporting is only about numbers or markets. In reality, it’s about how financial decisions, policies and corporate actions affect people, jobs and society as a whole.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.