A special report is an in-depth study on a particular subject that goes beyond the scope of a news item or newsflash. It can either be a journalistic piece on controversial topics or an academic study that examines a particular area of interest in the medical or scientific fields. When writing a special report, it is important to keep in mind the audience and use appropriate language for that specific audience. It is also important to include visual representations of your research, as this will lend additional credibility to your systematic investigation.
The term special report is often used in relation to a television news program that covers breaking events. The program may air for a short amount of time, or it may continue for hours or days if the story warrants extended coverage. When this occurs, the network will interrupt regular commercial advertising to provide the special report. Depending on the severity of the event, stations may even suspend regular programming for the duration of the report.
The term special report can also refer to a financial audit that deviates from the standard format of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. A special report can be done separately or alongside a regular financial statement audit. For example, an entity might prepare a special report to demonstrate compliance with aspects of contractual agreements or regulatory provisions related to audited financial statements. This type of reporting can be done under the same Canadian Assurance Standards as a normal financial statement audit.