DESKING FINANCIAL STORIES

In media companies today, trust is all important. Is the published information accurate? Is it fair, and have editors thought about the legal and ethical implications? Financial information can be complex, but also it can be explained, and good English language delivery is important; financial writing is not all about numbers. This short sub-editing course was designed to ensure editors can handle financial journalism copy with confidence, even though they not be fully aware of the finer points of economic policy, corporate valuation or how interest rates are changed.

Journalism skills addressed during the course

1. •Knowledge of core journalism values, codes and style guides
   

2. •Fast and balanced editing to high standards of sourcing and objectivity
   

3. •Ability to identify keywords on which to build solid leads
   

4. •Re-writing leads into the active voice of under 25-30 words
   

5. •Providing unambiguous, clear and informative headlines
   

6. •Recognition of news story angles and the need for explanatory context
   

7. •Capturing inaccuracies and numerical errors in copy
   

8. •Offering quick constructive guidance to reporters
   

9. •Preserving and encouraging trust in a media organisation.
   

Financial subjects addressed during the course

1. •Economic policy - monetary and fiscal
   

2. •Market reports
   

3. •Corporate announcements
   

4. •Interest rate changes.
   

Course Objectives 

After completing the course, participants can expect to be able to:

1. •Set recognised standards of objectivity, balance and sourcing
   

2. •Lead in-house sessions on steps to maintain trust in a media organisation
   

3. •Edit stories quickly to ensure educated readers can absorb financial information
   

4. •Ensure context, explanation and background appear in financial stories
   

5. •Demonstrate an ability to handle copy quickly under stress
   

6. •Carefully and sympathetically re-write copy from non-native speakers
   

7. •Establish a cooperative atmosphere with financial reporters.
   

Course Outline

This four or five-day workshop is assembled from copy submitted by clients, within a general model that challenged sub-editors to handle an accumulating file of stories. It also incorporates facilitated discussions/lectures on legal dangers, ethical decision-making and ways to protect trust in media organisations. In the area of writing, it concentrates on grammar, headlines, leads and tight editing to attract reader interest from the very beginning of a story. It also challenges participants with dilemmas built around copy tasting, forward planning and testy desk-reporter relations. Copy coaches provide personalized feedback and participants leave with action plans. If required, the course can also concentrate on writing that can be translated easily into foreign languages and consider the needs of websites.

Pre-course work

Pre-course reading, learning agreements and a short evaluation to establish existing knowledge of subediting and any related style guides and codes of conduct.