How to Research Business News

business news

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.

What is Government Policy?

government policy

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.

The Importance of National News in a Changing Media Landscape

national news

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.

The Importance of a Good Financial Report

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.

How Election Results Are Determined

In practice, election results are determined by a complex system of laws and rules that vary from country to country. This means that polling data is only a partial picture of what actually happened. In order to be accurate, it is necessary to combine information from different sources. The use of these data requires a degree of expertise, and the results can be difficult to interpret.

In addition, the process of determining a winner includes a step known as a canvass, in which elections officials examine all of the ballots to ensure they have counted every vote and that there are no clerical errors. This can take days, and is the only way to know who really won.

These factors mean that the results reported on election night are never final and certified. But many voters look to elections officials for trusted information about results, and how they communicate those results can play a role in establishing public confidence in the process.

In the United States, the result of a tight race can have significant ramifications for the economy and global geopolitics. Johns Hopkins Carey Business School scholars have analyzed the impact of a Kamala Harris or Donald Trump presidency on seven key policy areas.

How to Write a News Flash

A news flash is a short piece of breaking news that interrupts radio or TV broadcasts and keeps audiences updated on current events. It can be local, national or international and may include a mix of hard and soft news. Newsflashes are not the place to bring opinion or give in-depth reports; they simply relay facts about a specific topic that is important for listeners at that moment.

A good newsflash starts with a strong headline that accurately and enticingly conveys what the story is about. Then, it should feature a compelling lead as an introductory scene-setter. The lead should use a narrative hook or anecdote that simultaneously captures readers’ attention and entices them to delve deeper into the article – for example, “Eight California high school students who share the same name pull off a witty stunt.” The lead should also provide any additional details needed and cite its sources. Finally, the newsflash should contain a nut graph that ties the main points you introduced in your lead into a bigger picture to show their significance and direction.

Because of its briefness, a newsflash often skates over some of the details; only major stories belong in this type of article. However, that doesn’t mean that it should lack in substance. A well-written newsflash should start with a compelling headline, follow the inverted pyramid style of reporting by putting the most crucial information first and then adding more details later, and include a nut graph to add context and explain why the subject matter matters.

What Is News Coverage?

News coverage is information disseminated through media such as newspapers, radio, and television. It plays an important role in society by raising awareness of emerging issues, influencing individuals’ perceptions and opinions, and motivating their behaviors. This is particularly true during critical events, such as natural disasters.

While some people are able to tune out news or avoid it entirely, for others, the constant exposure can exacerbate anxiety about everyday things. It can also contribute to feelings of hopelessness, causing someone to feel they are powerless to help or change something.

When a disaster occurs, reporters and news staff collect photos or videos from the scene. Then, they write their stories based on this information. They may then submit their work to the news desk, where it gets heavily edited by editors, called copy-editors (U.S.) and sub-editors (Europe). In addition to news, some journalists offer opinions or analysis of the latest happenings. These are called commentators or columnists.

Some research suggests that local journalists are viewed as more trustworthy than national ones. This may be because they are perceived as being part of the community and understand the local issues. People also tend to feel more empathy towards those who are homeless, for example, when they see local journalists cover the issue compared to national outlets that focus on the homelessness epidemic in general.

Critics argue that major sources of news are often biased and fail to present an honest presentation of political positions and policies. They may also provide partisan and ideological commentary designed to influence voters’ preferences.

What is Political Asylum?

In the United States, political asylum is a form of protection granted by the government to people who have been persecuted for their ideas or beliefs. Asylum is a discretionary form of protection, meaning that not everyone who seeks it will be granted it. Typically, individuals seeking asylum must prove that they fit one of the five protected categories (race or ethnicity, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a social group) and that they fear persecution for those reasons if they return to their country of origin.

Those who receive asylum are granted permission to live and work in the United States, but they cannot travel back to their country of origin without risk of being deported. Asylum is not the same as the refugee status granted by the UNHCR, which offers a full set of rights to refugees, including travel and employment authorization.

Asylum seekers must complete Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, submit a personal statement, and provide proof of their eligibility to claim asylum. In addition, they must pay a $100 filing fee to USCIS and include a payment receipt or Payment Tracking ID with their application.

Asylum applicants who do not have a lawyer can apply for asylum at a port of entry or at a US embassy in their country of origin, or at any point in the United States if they meet certain conditions. However, they must be in the United States for one year to apply, and they must have a reasonable fear of persecution if they return to their home country. If they don’t, they may be denied asylum and backstop forms of relief like withholding of removal.

What is the Stock Market?

The stock market is a place where anyone can buy or sell fractional ownership of publicly traded companies. Hundreds of millions of people participate in the market each day, negotiating prices with each other and influencing the value of shares based on their buying and selling decisions. In the long run, demand for a particular company’s stock is typically driven by its profitability and the goods or services it provides to customers.

Each trading session, the stock market pairs stock sellers with interested buyers. These sellers may be companies that have just gone public through an initial public offering (IPO), or they could be current stockholders looking to resell their shares in exchange for cash. Whether on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange or through an online trading platform, all trading takes place through intermediaries who match a buyer’s bid price with a seller’s ask price. When a match is made, the sale goes through.

For many investors, the goal is to grow their wealth over time. This is why it’s important to have a well-diversified investment portfolio, including stocks and mutual funds. Many investors choose to track a particular index, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500, which reflects the performance of the largest U.S. companies.

The stock market is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). These agencies create rules to protect investors, prevent fraudulent activities and ensure fairness for all market participants.

Developing Story – What You Need to Know

Developing story is the process of taking an idea and expanding it into a well-rounded story that is ready to write. The more you understand about this step, the better positioned you are to avoid the pitfalls that often lead to writer’s block.

Start with a clear concept. Grand ideas can feel intimidating, so it’s best to start small and build complexity as your story grows. This way, you can focus on the core of your narrative and ensure that every twist and turn contributes to the overall arc.

Establish your protagonist’s goal and the internal obstacles that will stand in their way. By exploring their quirks, fears, and desires, you can develop character arcs that are both compelling and believable. These arcs will help you create the outer conflicts that will drive your plot forward.

Exposition: Introduce your setting and characters. Establish their background and give your reader a crash course on the world they will be entering.

Rising action: Raise the stakes and build anticipation by presenting your protagonist with series of increasingly difficult challenges. Establish and escalate conflict in your supporting cast while deepening your protagonist’s relationships.

Climax: Reach the pinnacle of tension and resolve your hero’s struggle. Show how their journey has changed them and what they’ve learned from their trials.

Falling action: Explore the consequences of the climax and tie up any loose ends that remain. It’s important that your plot feels cohesive, resonant, and engaging, so be sure to consider all aspects of the story when planning it out.