Day: October 4, 2025

Business news is a type of journalism that tracks, records and interprets the commercial activities of businesses and their effects on societies. It is generally published in newspapers and magazines, but can also be found online and in video form. Business news may focus on global economic trends, stock market fluctuations and business-related legislation.

It’s important for business journalists to keep in mind that their audience is comprised of more than just Wall Street brokers and “finance bros.” Business stories should be presented in a way that makes them accessible to the general public. This can be done by using language that is easy to understand, such as avoiding jargon and explaining complex topics in simple terms. It’s also helpful to include quotes from subject matter experts, as this can help readers gain a better understanding of the topic.

One of the best ways to make business news more accessible is to tell a story that has a human element. This can be achieved by including the impact that a particular event or policy has on people. This could be in the form of a personal narrative, an interview with a subject matter expert or a graphic that shows how a particular issue affects the lives of everyday people.

The Library has a number of resources to assist with researching business topics, including print and microform newspaper titles, reference databases and the Business Source database available through JerseyClicks. To get assistance with a specific research question, contact a librarian via Ask-A-Librarian.

Government policy refers to a broad category of laws, regulations and decisions implemented by federal, state and local government agencies. The policies enacted by the government can impact all aspects of our daily lives, from workplace safety and immigration to bank regulation, drug approval, and national defense.

Policymaking is a complex process in which many different factors converge to shape public policy decisions. These include political elements like public opinion and party ideology, economic considerations such as growth goals and market dynamics, and environmental factors such as natural resources and climate change. Moreover, multiple individuals and organizations compete and collaborate in an effort to influence the formulation and execution of public policy, such as advocacy groups, corporations, and non-profits.

The etymology of the term “policy” suggests that it stems from the Greek word for city, indicating that policymaking involves a collective decision making process. However, it is difficult to get scholars to agree on a single definition of policy. Some suggest that a policy is a specific strategy for tackling a political problem, while others argue that it more broadly refers to any effort to influence the course of action taken by the government or a private group.

A policy debate can cover a wide range of topics, including whether the United States should use weapons of mass destruction (WMD), reduce the number of refugees it accepts each year (immigration), and end indefinite detention (prisoner rehabilitation). Debate also addresses questions about the separation of powers between the executive branch and Congress and the level of discretion given to the President.

National news is the coverage of events and topics that have implications across an entire nation. This includes stories related to politics, economics, and international relations. As the number of local news outlets continues to decline, it has become more important for national publications to maintain their reach and influence public discourse. In doing so, they must continue to evolve their content and business models to remain relevant in a changing media landscape.

In addition to their traditional print and broadcast platforms, many national news organizations offer a variety of digital news products. Regardless of their platform, national newspapers are tasked with upholding the principle of editorial independence. This ensures that they can operate free from external pressures or influence, allowing them to report fairly and accurately for their audiences.

The rise of social media has changed the way that local and national news is reported. Local news can now gain national visibility almost instantly, allowing local issues to be framed within a national context for greater appeal. However, this can also blur the lines between fact and sensationalism.

The declining numbers of local news outlets may affect people’s awareness of community issues. In turn, this can have a negative impact on their civic engagement and sense of community belonging. Moreover, it can be difficult to determine what is truly significant or urgent at the local level when so many events are being hyped by social media. This can lead to a disconnect between people’s understanding of local issues and the actions that need to be taken by their local governments and communities.

Financial reports are an essential tool for businesses of all sizes. They provide insights into how money is coming in and going out, so that companies can make smart decisions about investing, minimizing risk, and achieving growth potential. Typically, they include summaries of vital financial statements like the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement. The income statement calculates the total amount of revenues and expenses (e.g. sales, marketing expenditures and salary costs) over a period, while the balance sheet displays the total value of assets, liabilities and shareholder equity at a point in time. The cash flow statement reveals the net changes in cash inflows and outflows, whether they’re related to operating activities (e.g. cash from customers, payment to suppliers) or financing activities (e.g. debt issuance or repayment, stock repurchases). A financial report also includes a trial balance, which lists the balances of all general ledger accounts at a given point in time.

In addition to financial statements, a thorough report should also include management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A), which provides insight into the company’s accounting policies, contingencies and risk management practices. It should also highlight positive and negative trends, as well as any significant uncertainties that may impact future performance.

Stakeholders depend on accurate and timely financial reporting to evaluate a company’s profitability and growth potential. As such, it’s crucial to adhere to international financial reporting standards and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to ensure transparency and consistency. In addition, a thorough financial report should always include visuals like charts and graphs to simplify complex data and make it more engaging for readers.