A special report is a customized financial report that deviates from standard reporting formats. They are often based on unique information needs and reporting objectives, while maintaining professional standards and clarity. They are also used to demonstrate compliance with specific reporting provisions of a contractual agreement or regulatory authority.
These reports are usually based on quantitative research and work with numbers. They are written formally and structured with headings and sections. The content of a special report is usually derived from first-hand verifiable information and is presented in an informative manner. It is important to keep in mind the audience when preparing these types of reports as different audiences require different types of writing and language.
Special reports are a form of news coverage that are used to deal with certain events and circumstances that arise from time to time. Typically, these issues and topics are too complex or controversial to be dealt with in the context of regular daily news coverage. This is why they need to be reported and analysed through a separate, dedicated report.
One such example is the US Trade Representative’s Special 301 Report, which is a Congressionally mandated review of intellectual property protection and enforcement in countries around the world. Special reports are also used by broadcasters to cover events that require sustained coverage and force them to interrupt their regular programming. These events can range from breaking news to political events that affect the nation or even world.