The work filed in by the foreign reporters will be used for ABCNews.com and ABC News Now but also occasionally on ABC news shows. Moreover, these bureaus will cost a fraction of the usual costs for foreign bureaus.

“Technology now makes it possible for us to have bureaus without a receptionist, three edit suites and studio cameras and so on," said ABC News president David Westin.

Using hand-held devices, the reporters will be able to file in multimedia content directly to the New York offices. ABC News is sending out its most skilled young reporters, for whom it provided special training instead of hiring local staffers.

"We felt it was important to have people who had been trained within our organization in the tradition of reporting," said ABC News London bureau chief Marcus Wilford. "We could train them for all the technical skills they need to do this."

New bureaus are being opened in Seoul, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai, New Delhi, Mumbai, Jakarta and Nairobi.

ABC News’ new approach to foreign coverage may save – at least promote – high quality foreign coverage, at a time when many newspapers, including the Boston Globe, have shut down their bureaus in an effort to save costs.

“The concept of a foreign bureau isn't going away anytime soon, but the networks are using digital technology to make smarter investments,” commented the Hollywood Reporter.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter through I Want Media