The future of local news??

I've been half joking and half serious this week in the newsroom when I've asked: "Is this the future of local news?"

What you see pictured here (and clickable for your enjoyment) is from a copy of WeGotBusted.com's periodical titled "Who's in Jail in the ATL."

It's a collection of mugshots, some of them broken into unique categories like "Repeat offenders" "Sex Offenders" and, my personal favorite, the "Oh No You Didn't Hair Mugs."

The magazine is available around the city for $2...I picked it up at the BP on Boulevard between Freedom Parkway and Ponce.

While somewhat joking, I do kind of wonder, though...as local news appears to be trending to lower budgets, daily crime news, and the accumulation of as many eyeballs as possible, could this really be the future of TV journalism?

What do you think??