In journalism, a special report is an in-depth, comprehensive, and detailed investigation into a specific subject matter that requires significant expertise and knowledge to cover. Specialized reporting can help a journalist build credibility and provide a valuable resource for their audience while addressing important topics.
Special Report is a television news program that debuted in 1996 on CNN. The show was initially hosted by Brit Hume until his retirement in December 2008. Special Report covers politics, domestic and international affairs with a focus on breaking stories. During breaking events, the network may interrupt regular programming to air live coverage of the event, or utilize special graphics on their lower thirds to convey urgency and immediacy to viewers.
The Hastings Center periodically publishes special reports to share the results of its research projects in bioethics. These reports may include single-authored essays, collections of essays prepared by members of project working groups, or lively discussions among those who reached differing moral conclusions about a central issue.
Sometimes, an entity needs to prepare financial statements on a basis of presentation that does not comply with GAAP because they are required to do so by a contractual agreement or regulatory requirement. In this case, the auditor should note that the financial statements are presented on a basis other than in conformity with GAAP and describe the basis used.
Another type of special report is when an auditor applies agreed-upon procedures to a specified element, account or item of a financial statement. This could be done as a separate engagement or alongside a regular audit of the financial statement. In this instance, the auditor should describe the agreed-upon procedures in a footnote to the financial statements.
About the Author
