Fairfax Times Has You Do the News

     The Fairfax Times is trying to allow the community to get involved by having them write an article on their website.  This blogging alternative called "News by You" seems to be a logical approach to working with the people to get good, quality news, but does it work?  Right now there are currently three posts on it.  Three.  And two of the three seem to be plugs that people are putting in for charity organizations or events that they are apart of.  So far, I would say that this type of approach just isn't working, but it may have potential.  Isn't it possible that bloggers could get involved in the community papers the same way that they are involved on their own dedicated sites, instead of using it for advertising.  If that were to happen, wouldn't it have more of an impact on the community that they're apart of.  I mean, lets face it, when someone in the community rights their views on a community topic, how many people in that community really see it?  This could potential be a positive way to keep the public involved in the news, being a part of it, but not necessarily taking the place of the "professionals."  So if this is a way to go, how does one really implement it?  If it's not the way to go, what's wrong with the system?  Why wouldn't people take advantage of something like this now?  I like the push the this community paper has taken to help mold with the way journalism is shaping and definitely see the potential of this being a very good thing that's developing.