From the source,

"Start-up Web sites, as of right now, may not be an adequate replacement for local newspaper coverage but they could definitely be a convenient tool for people to get local news more often and more efficiently. The issue, however, is that the coverage may not be as full or legitimate as the coverage in a traditional newspaper. With print newspaper companies facing many problems right now and online news stories being so prevalent, it makes sense that these start-up Web sites would exist. People often go online to find news stories strictly because it is convenient. So, if these start-up Web sites could be legitimized and if it could be guaranteed that the coverage is full and factual, then these sites could be very helpful and popular. If that is the case then maybe some day these sites could actually be an adequate replacement for local newspaper coverage."

Sources: Go to Article :: The New York Times