Media and Journalism Course
Business and Economic Reporting
Manufacturing/industry beat
The manufacturing beat offers some interesting opportunities for
reporters who can look at three separate possibilities:

A new manufacturing enterprise starting

The operations of an existing manufacturing enterprise

A manufacturing enterprise in trouble and potentially closing.
Let’s consider some possible areas for attention in the three areas.
The new enterprise
Examine the long and short term prospects of the new enterprise –
consider similar industries in other locations/countries. Some
possible ways to help you frame the questions:

What is the general state of this industry?

Why has this area been chosen for the operation?

What factors have influenced the location?

Was it a popular choice or was there opposition (for example
environmental concerns)

Is there a political dimension to the story – is the business
being positively encouraged by tax incentives or tariff
considerations?
The operations of an existing manufacturing enterprise
The opportunities for stories about existing manufacturing enterprise
are quite considerable and you might like to look at:

Industrial and labour relations issues, including worker safety,
occupational health and safety, employee relations,
productivity, etc.

Compliance with all regulations.

Impact on the local economy – is the enterprise a good
corporate citizen, or is it failing in its obligations (for example,
some companies are considered desirable for an economy as
they provide employment and inject funds into the local
economy, yet may be causing pollution and long term damage
to the environment).

Profitability or otherwise of the business – is this a successful
operation, are their recurrent financial crises, does the
business have a stable client base with reliable contracts, etc.

Factors helping or hindering the business – is the industry
besieged or on the ascendant? Are there new government
regulations that impact the business?
BER, M13Ho8
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Media and Journalism Course
Business and Economic Reporting
The troubled enterprise
This is potentially a source of many stories for the manufacturing
beat. In today’s climate of increasing globalisation manufacturing
industries may be under considerable threat and subject to increasing
pressures. Consider:

the long and short term prospects for the enterprise – can it
recover, what could occur, what are the options, has this
happened before, what could tip it over the edge or save it, etc.

the local impacts of the industry failing (for example, look at
the human face of the employees who may be out of work,
consider the impact on families and others affected in the area,
what other industries or sectors does this impact, does it
supply other companies, etc).
BER, M13Ho8
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