In probably the biggest break from tradition, the paper may solicit content from readers, asking them to write their own stories about topics that interest them, whether it be a Scout leader writing about a volunteer activity his scouts undertook or a local politician writing an alternative story about a government program the paper’s reporters have already covered.

That breaks the traditional model where newspaper reporters and editors serve as gatekeepers, deciding what information actually makes news. In the virtually unlimited space on the Web, such constraints are no longer an issue. And with readers contributing content, the paper’s Web content is no longer limited by the size of the staff. — Mark Tosczak —N&R looks to break tradition with Web changes (The Business Journal)

Via Dan Gillmor.