Hyperlocal Journalism -- An Alternative Media Phenomenon

Ran across this on Minyanville:

Hyperlocal Journalism Gets Legit

Interesting discussion of the struggle for alternative press credentials and description of a couple of vehicles for marketing local news by independent journalists.  I found the business model of spot.us particularly intriguing.  These may be viable means for local journalists and wannabe journalists to obtain exposure without having to work under a particular editor's roof.