Economics for Journalists

Hone your economic reporting skills

Our economics seminar for journalists will give you a greater understanding of economics and help you write about Canadian and world issues with more clarity and confidence.

Many of today’s issues, including health care, income inequality, the environment, and foreign aid have economic implications. This seminar will improve your understanding of economics so you'll be more adept at analyzing the policies proposed by politicians and advocacy groups, and the public’s responses to these policies. You'll gain practical tools, know which questions to ask, and be able to write about current events from a different angle.

In 2012, we successfully launched a revised program that focused on teaching basic economic principles and how they relate to journalism. The journalists’ feedback was overwhelming positive - 100% of attendees agreed that the program was intellectually stimulating and that they had gathered useful information that they would use in their careers.

The program explains common economic terms, and the practical application of the "economic way" of thinking is highlighted throughout the program. Through lectures, simulations, and discussions, two experienced economics professors will demonstrate how economics can be used to better understand the world around us, and provide real, relevant examples from Canadian society.

Topics covered include:

• Labour markets
• National debt
• Government budgets/spending
• Numbers in the newsroom: GDP, CPI, the unemployment rate
• Economic freedom
• International trade
• Monetary policy

The economic concepts covered include:

• Opportunity costs
• Property rights
  
• Unintended consequences
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Marginal decision-making
• Supply and demand

This graduate seminar-style program is open to journalists from TV, radio, print, and new media from across Canada and allows journalists to look at important issues through an economic lens and engage in a forum of learning, questioning, and critical analysis.

Program information and application form

For more information contact Lindsay Mitchell at 1-800-665-3558 ext 595 or lindsay.mitchell@fraserinstitute.org.