Coverage of Business & the Economy

Coverage of Business & the Economy

Professor Eric Freedman30 November 2011

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Lecture Outline

• Why business & economics coverage matters• Major categories of coverage• Sourcing• Smart use of statistics• Discussion points

Lithuanian government not to rescue Snoras bankBaltic Times, Nov 24, 2011

Robust small business rebound drives growthBaltic Times, Nov 24, 2011

Lithuania-operated cargo train launched on China-EU routeBaltic Times, Nov 17, 2011

Lithuanian doctors are sought-after commoditiesBaltic Times, Nov 03, 2011

President proposes VAT rate reduction for pressLithuania Tribune, Nov 29, 2011

Deposits decrease by 0.7% following Snoras suspensionLithuania Tribune, Nov 29, 2011Over a month, retail trade turnover increased by 0.7 per centLithuania Tribune, Nov 28, 2011

“This is where the power lies, and not many people are writing about it. Money is the source of all power, the source of all evil“

Nik DoogunWall Street Journal reporter

Potential Sources for Business Stories: Start at the Top

• Managing directors, owners, company executives• Lawyers, brokers, accountants• Financial analysts• Labor union leaders • University professors, independent researchers• Politicians, government officials• NGO experts• Public relations, marketing & advertising specialists • Editors of industry publications • Economists at banks• Trade & industry groups, chambers of commerce

Checklist for Using Statistics

• Verify the accuracy of statistical information• Focus your story on the most important or

unusual aspects of the statistical information• Present information in understandable & concise

way• Look for connections between statistics that may

make the story more interesting• Don’t editorialize—let the numbers speak for

themselves or use experts to characterize them.

Discussion Points

• Is there any economics-related news that should not be reported? If so, why?

• What are possible ethical issues for business reporters?