What closing Washington bureaus means

Jonathan E. Kaplan, a former Washington reporter for Maine newspapers; now another unemployed, laid-off journalist, explains in today's Washington Post how today's leaner press is also a meaner press, as in less important since it's not doing its reporting job. 

It's interesting if you think about the reason for the press and believe along with the likes of Thomas Jefferson and others who gave our country a free press that the media has a responsibility for an educated populace, and plays a big role in the success of democracy. Kaplan explains exactly what Maine lost with the closing of the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram's Washington bureau. It's also what we will lose when the Journal Sentinel follows through with its plans to eliminate its Washington bureau.