What Is a Special Report?

A special report is a customized financial report that deviates from the standard format required by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This type of report addresses specific information needs while maintaining professional standards and clarity. It can include certain sections, accounts or items of a financial statement and may be used to comply with contractual agreements or regulatory provisions.

In journalism, a special report is an in-depth and thorough piece of reporting that can expose wrongdoing or corruption. It can also involve more technical subject matter that requires a level of understanding and expertise that not all journalists have. Specialized reporting can help to increase a journalist’s credibility and provide valuable insight into complex issues for their audience.

When writing a special report, it is important to keep in mind the intended audience for the article. This will determine the tone and level of complexity in which the research is presented. For example, if the topic is of interest to medical professionals, the research should use medical jargon and terminology. On the other hand, if the topic is of interest to a broader general audience, it should be written in a more straightforward manner.

In some cases, news programs will broadcast a special report when significant events occur that require immediate attention. These can range from a breaking news story to an event that warrants extended coverage such as an emergency alert or natural disaster. When such reports are broadcast, a ticker is usually displayed to display the latest developments while regular programming is interrupted. In most cases, the special report will last only a few minutes.