Going beyond politics: how policy makers use the FT to shape strategy

While the possible influence of AI-generated ‘deep fakes’ and interference by foreign state actors is deeply concerning, governments and their opponents know that well-informed policies that align with today’s economic realities remain the most effective tools for swaying voters.

Policy makers have a lot of information to consider when making decisions as they need to understand the economic, social, and political implications. In this post we look at the role that Financial Times journalism plays in government decision making and its value as an information resource at all levels of government.

The era of hyperglobalisation may well be dead, but in our interconnected world, the web of economic forces that policy makers need to navigate is no less complex. International trade, price stability, and financial markets are all interlinked, and government officials need to stay clued-up about the state of the global economy in order to assess the likely impacts on their own jurisdictions.

A reputation for accuracy, alongside a newsroom that FT news editor Tom Braithwaite describes as “just the size that makes collaboration a bit easier than others” enables the FT to provide subscribers with insights gathered from the highest levels of business and politics, as well as the ability to connect stories across regions and industries.

The integrity of the FT’s reporting, and focus on painting the “big picture” of world news means that it offers the trust and necessary breadth that government departments require to inform policy making that stands up to public scrutiny.

How news and insights are delivered to government subscribers is equally important, as it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information that’s readily available. For this reason, carefully curated FT newsletters are especially popular and valuable to a policy making audience.

These email briefings cover topics from corporate finance to business education trends, but for staying on top of changes in the global economy we recommend the following:

1. Chris Giles on Central Banks is published every Tuesday and is an essential read for anyone who needs to understand monetary policy. In Chris’ words “there isn't a more important building block for growth and prosperity” than central banks, so it pays for those in government to understand their latest pronouncements and what they could mean for price stability.
2. Trade Secrets is published every Monday and covers the business and politics of globalisation. Expect commentary on supply chains, regulations, currencies and technologies, all of which ultimately impact the global economy.
3. Martin Sandbu’s Free Lunch goes out each Thursday and aims to do three things: highlight the most significant economic developments readers need to be aware of; give them an inside view on how to address these challenges; and offer an expert opinion on how those debates might unfold

A government that demonstrates a solid understanding of financial markets instils confidence among businesses and investors, which is crucial for economic stability.

Reading FT journalism every day helps to enhance market knowledge and awareness of investment trends. Lex in particular, which is the FT’s flagship daily investment column, is valued by readers for its concise analysis of the big financial stories, and encompasses everything from stock picking and M&A to project finance.

Premium opinion from Lex and other FT commentators such as Gillian Tett and Robert Armstrong helps readers make better investment decisions. Governments themselves are hugely prominent investors and need to understand how to optimise returns and manage risk in the same way that an investment management group would.

Technology and innovation often outpace the development of regulation and policy, so staying current with the latest trends is a must in order that emerging technologies are governed effectively.

The FT covers technology at a global level with reporters in the traditional hubs of innovation like Silicon Valley, who work closely alongside colleagues in Europe, as well as China and Southeast Asia to bring readers a connected view of the tech story and its implications on the broader economic landscape.

West Coast editor Richard Waters describes the FT’s coverage of the technology sector as “focused on that intersection between business, finance, politics, economics and policy,” adding that, “Our coverage is aimed at people in various industries, government and areas where there is a need for a fairly broad understanding of the impact of technology on their own spheres of influence.”

Government officials aren’t necessarily expected to have a deep technical understanding of how Large Language Models work, for example, but they should understand the potential benefits and risks associated with emerging technologies.

The joined-up approach that FT journalists take means that themes such as artificial intelligence or blockchain are reported on in a multi-dimensional way, which offers policy makers a well-rounded view they can use to shape their own decisions.

South Asia bureau chief John Reed observes that this is a key reason why the FT is the go-to media outlet for leaders globally. “I've seen an increasing number of stories in India that tie up with Silicon Valley, so I'm working with colleagues in California,” he says. “What’s good about the FT’s culture, and also makes it a better read, is that the journalists talk to one another, and work with one another.”

Having access to common sources of trusted intelligence enables teams across government departments to ensure they’re on the same page and eliminate blindspots.

Whether someone is making policy decisions, part of the communications team, a researcher, or working elsewhere in government, the fact they can all see and share the same information allows conversations to advance more quickly.

An FT Professional Subscription is the best way to equip multiple people and teams with Financial Times journalism and includes:

• Premium access to FT.com
  All FT.com journalism at your fingertips, including over 20 curated email briefings, as well as the Financial Times newspaper via The Digital Edition app.

• Workflow integration
  The FT delivered on your department’s systems and devices. Discover and share content through mobile apps, our Microsoft Teams integration and research platforms like LexisNexis and Factiva.

• Professional-only tools
  Exclusive tools that help those using the FT for work find relevant articles more easily and use them to collaborate more effectively with colleagues.

• Enhanced support and services
  Optimise and promote the FT across your department with the help of a dedicated Customer Success Manager. Track how your subscription is used, and manage who has access through our Subscription Manager platform.

Help your team make better business decisions with the FT’s trusted commentary and analysis. For more information about how FT Professional can help your organisation, please get in touch.