News By the People, For the People

"Aided by the Internet and personal-computer software, online communities with their own publishing tools and networks are redefining news in the 21st Century," writes Paul Andrews as he examines the growth of alternative journalism on the Internet. Webloggers like Rusty Foster's Kuro5hin are transcending the traditional barriers between "reporter" and "audience." Kuro5hin offers "the ultimate democratic editorial process: Impromptu discussion groups form around thoughtful postings mostly spun off the news. Regulars rate postings for quality, accuracy and depth. The site draws 100,000 regular readers." According to Foster, "The end result is an understanding and depth that just is not possible in traditional one-direction journalism."