Citizen Journalism Site to Shut Down

A news site that has allowed its users to write and submit their own articles is shutting down, citing unspecified "business issues."

Backfence Inc. had "hyperlocal" sites serving 13 communities in the Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Chicago areas. Residents were allowed to write on any topic, including event announcements and neighborhood traffic congestion, without the meddling of editors.