Steve Outing in Editor & Publisher just wrote a terrific piece on how newspapers can capitalize social networks to distribute news, information and advertising. He visualizes a news organization offering readers online and mobile content from a variety of sources through their social networks. Readers would subscribe to the sources and services they want, such as staff and freelance blogs, discussion forums, personalized news including news from social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook. 

The idea of Incorporating conventional news into social networks is innovative. Outing says, Newspapers can — and should, in my view — aim to serve the complete news needs of consumers, all the way from the big-picture events of the day down to what kind of car your high school friend just bought and how she just broke up with her boyfriend. Yes, the latter IS “news” when it comes from within your social circle or social network.