Breakingviews 'well defined and curated; seldom snarky'

Cox, who helped found Breakingviews in 2000, said that at a town hall meeting with staff in New York last November someone asked Joe Lelyveld, a director of the Thomson Reuters Founders Share Company, about the role of opinion journalism at Reuters. Lelyveld is one of the trustee directors who act as guardians of the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. “Naturally, I was delighted to hear Joe’s response and his description of Breakingviews as ‘well defined and curated; seldom snarky, analytical and argues its points.’ 

“The punchy insights our 30 columnists around the world produce have, I hope, by now dispelled any notion that we are a ‘Poets' Corner’ pontificating on whatever strikes our fancy. Still, four years since Breakingviews became a part of Reuters it is worth exploring how financial commentary supports the broader editorial mission and complements the breaking news, deeply-reported enterprise stories and video journalism that Reuters produces,” he wrote in a Reuters blog recently.

“At their best, Breakingviews articles provoke readers into challenging their own assumptions. Using facts and reporting to argue a point of view can trigger a reaction that is akin to the ‘surprise’ factor that accompanies breaking news, but also borders on the emotional. After all, people don’t like to be told, much less proven, they are wrong. While this helps enrich engagement with readers and the people Reuters covers, we try to go beyond simply telling clients they may be mistaken by offering them constructive and actionable alternative.”

In that respect, good Breakingviews articles are analytically interesting conversation starters, Cox said. “This isn’t just useful for clients - it is helpful to our journalism overall.” 

Commentary which shares the values of Reuters journalism helps ensure the organisation sets the agenda in financial markets and corporate coverage, Cox said. “Add the depth of experience and number-crunching expertise Breakingviews brings to stories, and companies and bankers regularly go out of their way to try to pre-empt our analysis by giving us their own. That benefits customers and can provide a conversation-opener or concrete idea to help Reuters reporters take the next step. Offering opinion as well as news perpetuates this virtuous cycle.

“As Reuters keeps sharpening its coverage around the world, the opportunities to enhance this symbiotic relationship will only multiply. That’s why, four years since arriving, I am confident the best has yet to come.” ■