Attributes of a Good Business Reporter
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Questions and Answers

What are two important tasks a reporter must complete in order to obtain reliable sources?

Do your homework and learn what motivates business people.

Why is it crucial for reporters to find independent sources when researching stories?

Independent sources help ensure that the information is not biased or self-serving.

What is the significance of analyzing numbers for a business reporter?

Analyzing numbers allows reporters to verify the truth and uncover potential lies, such as the statistic that a third of CEOs lie to the media.

How can introducing human elements enhance a business story?

<p>Using anecdotal examples makes stories more relatable and memorable for readers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does a broker play in financial transactions?

<p>A broker acts as an intermediary facilitating transactions between two or more parties.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List two types of subjects that a business reporter might cover.

<p>Store openings and annual business reports.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between capital expenditure and capital market.

<p>Capital expenditure refers to the costs incurred to acquire assets, while capital market is a network that channels savings to commerce and industry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the purpose of collateral security in loan agreements.

<p>Collateral security is an asset pledged to a creditor to ensure the repayment of a loan.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should a reporter note when quoting a source?

<p>The person's business affiliations relevant to the story.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does depreciation indicate in economic terms?

<p>Depreciation indicates a decline in the value of an asset over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the balance of payments?

<p>It is the difference between the total payments into and out of a country in a given period.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why must reporters be cautious about the sources they choose?

<p>To avoid bias and ensure the information is trustworthy and not influenced by affiliations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is devaluation and how does it affect currency?

<p>Devaluation is a decrease in the value of one currency relative to others, impacting exchange rates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a mixed economy differ from purely capitalist or socialist economies?

<p>A mixed economy incorporates elements of both capitalism and socialism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is value added tax and its significance?

<p>Value added tax is a turnover tax that accounts for the value added at each production stage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for journalists to avoid economic jargon?

<p>Avoiding economic jargon helps make complex economic topics accessible to the average reader.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the essential attributes of a good business reporter in relation to numerical data?

<p>A good business reporter should be comfortable with numbers and not intimidated by lengthy reports or financial jargon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of objectivity in business reporting.

<p>Objectivity is important as it ensures the reporter presents facts without bias, maintaining credibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify two types of companies and explain a challenge reporters face when covering privately held companies.

<p>The two types of companies are publicly held and privately held; reporters often find it challenging to obtain information from privately held companies due to secrecy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name three sources of information a business reporter might use.

<p>Bank officers, financial analysts, and chamber of commerce officials are three potential sources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What barriers might reporters encounter when trying to cultivate sources in the business sector?

<p>Reporters might face wariness and distrust from sources, making it difficult to establish rapport.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the role of physical sources in local business reporting.

<p>Physical sources like city tax records and business licenses provide concrete data reflecting a firm's economic activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is competition a prominent factor in the secrecy of business information?

<p>Competition drives companies to withhold information in order to maintain a strategic advantage over rivals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the complexity involved in the job of a business reporter compared to other journalists.

<p>Business reporters often deal with more complex information and face greater challenges in accessing reliable data due to confidentiality in the industry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus when reporting on a budget according to the basic guidelines?

<p>The primary focus is to report on the basics of revenue and expenditure, detailing all sources of revenue and earmarked expenditures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does inflation affect the interpretation of budget figures?

<p>Inflation can mask a decrease in real terms; thus, increases in absolute terms must be contextualized with inflation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect do regressive taxes have on different income segments?

<p>Regressive taxes tend to favor the wealthy by requiring them to pay a smaller percentage of their overall income compared to poorer segments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should journalists do throughout the budget year?

<p>Journalists should follow the budget process throughout the year to see if predictions are being fulfilled.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to keep contact with various organizations during budget reporting?

<p>Maintaining contact with diverse organizations enriches the reporting by providing varied perspectives on the budget's impact.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two primary rubrics mentioned for putting a human face on budget figures?

<p>The two primary rubrics are basic guidelines for reporting budget specifics and general principles of good journalism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can the effects of consumption taxes like VAT favor the wealthy?

<p>Consumption taxes such as VAT can favor the wealthy because they represent a smaller percentage of total wealth paid compared to poorer individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of international organizations in budget reporting?

<p>International organizations, such as the IMF, provide valuable input and assessment concerning the impacts of revenue and expenditure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does an investigative reporter play when analyzing a budget?

<p>An investigative reporter acts as an auditor and comparative analyst, extracting impactful facts from budget numbers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to include local and international organizations in budget analysis?

<p>Including local and international organizations helps track revenue sources and assess their impact on marginalized communities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can a budget analyst make large budget figures more digestible for the general audience?

<p>By incorporating specific, relatable examples of how the budget affects individuals directly, making the figures more accessible.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'sin tax' and how might it engage an audience when discussing the budget?

<p>'Sin taxes' are imposed on goods like tobacco and alcohol, and mentioning them can highlight the budget's direct financial impact on families.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of including a family example when discussing budget impacts?

<p>Including a family example personalizes the budget's effects, allowing the audience to relate to the financial implications.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why should budget reports consider opinions from civil society groups?

<p>Civil society groups provide critical perspectives that reflect the needs and challenges faced by the most vulnerable populations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What approach should a reporter take to maintain a reader's attention regarding budget discussions?

<p>A reporter should use engaging language and present intriguing, relatable details alongside significant figures to maintain interest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does context affect the interpretation of budget figures in media reports?

<p>Contextualization helps to clarify the relevance and implications of budget numbers, influencing public understanding and perception.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Business Reporting Overview

  • Business reporters cover a variety of topics including store openings, expansions, closings, real estate transactions, new products, construction projects, layoffs, and economic reports.
  • Understanding local and national budgets is also essential for business reporting.

Attributes of a Good Business Reporter

  • Must be comfortable with numbers and economic jargon, able to analyze complex reports.
  • Objectivity is crucial, balancing expertise in finance with broader knowledge to connect various subjects.
  • Strong analytical skills are necessary to sift through data, as many executives may withhold information.

Information Sources

  • Business reporters face challenges accessing information due to the secretive nature of the business world.
  • Important contacts include bank officers, union leaders, financial analysts, academics, and government ministries.
  • Distinction between publicly held companies (owned by investors) and privately held companies (controlled by small groups, making information harder to obtain).

Cultivating Sources

  • Building trust with sources is critical; preparation and understanding of business motivations are essential.
  • Intelligent questioning strengthens relationships with sources.
  • Background information must be credible and independent from conflicts of interest.

Importance of Numbers

  • Qualitative studies dominate journalism; however, business reporting relies heavily on quantitative analysis.
  • Skepticism is necessary as studies indicate a significant number of CEOs may mislead the media.

Human Element in Reporting

  • Integrating human interest stories can make complex business topics relatable and engaging for readers.
  • Anecdotes and personal stories help ground statistical information.

Reporting Subjects

  • Business reporters cover a wide array of topics, including labor-management relations if no specific labor reporter is available.
  • Staying informed about local trends is critical for relevant reporting.

Key Business Terminologies

  • Balance of Payments: Difference between total payments into and out of a country.
  • Broker: Intermediary in transactions, especially in stock.
  • Capital Expenditure: Amount spent to acquire an asset.
  • Depreciation: Decline in asset values.
  • Mixed Economy: Combination of capitalist and socialist characteristics.

Practical Reporting Tips

  • Avoid economic jargon; use simple language to explain complex economic concepts.
  • Provide clear comparisons in budget reporting, highlighting sources of revenue and expenditures.
  • Report consistently on the budget throughout the year for a comprehensive view.

General Reporting Principles

  • Treat budget documents like investigative reports, extracting impactful data affecting communities.
  • Engage with various stakeholders, including civil society, to understand wider implications.
  • Present budget figures in digestible formats, emphasizing relatable impacts, such as taxes on families.

Engaging Reporting Strategies

  • Contextualize large financial figures with relatable examples to maintain reader interest.
  • Make the implications of budgets concrete through storytelling and real-life consequences of fiscal decisions.

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Description

This quiz explores the essential qualities and skills needed for a successful business and economic reporter. It covers aspects such as comfort with numbers, handling lengthy reports, and staying informed about various business topics. Assess your understanding of what makes an effective journalist in the business sector.

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