| Dear Friend, No one becomes a journalist for fame or glory. A more typical motivation is what Maine Focus editor Erin Rhoda describes:  "The work of investigative journalism is rarely clear cut. We may have a question to answer or receive a tip, and then comes the brainstorming. How do we confirm it? There are dead ends, revelations and complications. There are rarely two sides to a story but rather five or nine or more. It's our job to remain open to new information and committed to the pursuit of truth.
"Our days are a fight to defend the public's right to know. It is time consuming and labor intensive. But even after working in journalism for more than a decade, I feel grateful every day to fulfill this mission, to listen to people from all parts of Maine and all stations of life, to give voice to the powerless, and to examine the actions of our governments and leaders. Our work has changed laws, prompted grassroots organizing and propelled entire organizations to rethink their practices." Support from BDN readers ensures journalists like Erin are able to take the required time needed to get investigative stories right. To sustain this work in 2023, we need to raise $75,000 by December 31. | 