I thought this might be of interest to my J-list colleagues.

Foreign bureaus, as many of you know, were one of the first things to be sacrificed by news organizations trying to save money. And they were incredibly expensive. 

But check out this story that appeared today in the Hollywood Reporter of all places. 

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i47e6403b3602038866ba096cb9fcdc29

Apparently, given the even greater economies provided by new digital technologies, it may be possible to reestablish bureaus in places like Africa and Eastern Europe at much less cost.  As one of those quoted in this story states, costly offices and furniture may no longer be needed in the age of satellite phones that can quickly and cheaply transmit print  and radio stories and highly portable cameras that can produce broadcast quality footage. 

Cool, huh?  Let's see what excuse they come up with now to ignore Africa.