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Bridging the Gap: Between People and NEWS Reporters

G Naga Madhu

IT Department, JNTU GV College of Engineering, Vizianagaram, India.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.1210000081

Received: 20 October 2025; Accepted: 27 October 2025; Published: 04 November 2025

ABSTRACT

In the digital era, news serves as a critical medium for shaping public perception, promoting awareness, and
guiding social behavior. It informs individuals about current events, political developments, and social issues
both locally and globally. However, the rapid growth of online platforms and social media has led to widespread
dissemination of misleading, biased, or fabricated news, often propagated to serve personal, political, or
commercial interests. Such misinformation undermines public understanding and erodes trust in professional
journalism.

To address these challenges, this research proposes an intelligent social news platform that enables users to
contribute news from their surroundings while ensuring ethical and factual accuracy. Each submitted post
undergoes an automated evaluation using decision-making algorithms that verify credibility, assess ethical
compliance, and filter out harmful or false content. Verified news is then published, providing users with a
reliable and transparent information source.

The platform organizes content into thematic categories, including political affairs, regional developments,
breaking news, natural disasters, sports, and entertainment. It incorporates location-based filtering and
recommendation mechanisms, allowing users to access regionally relevant news while remaining connected to
global updates. Additionally, collaborative features such as commenting, reporting inaccuracies, and community
verification enhance transparency and foster user engagement.

The proposed system aims to reduce misinformation, promote ethical journalism, and empower users to act as
both contributors and verifiers of credible news. By integrating algorithmic decision-making with community-
driven reporting, the platform fosters a culture of responsibility, accountability, and informed public
participation. Ultimately, this research contributes to the development of a trustworthy, user-centered news
ecosystem that balances technological innovation with the ethical dissemination of information.

Keywords: Fake News Detection, Ethical Journalism, Decision-Making Algorithms, Social News Platform,
Automated Content Verification, Misinformation Control, Location-Based News, Public Awareness.

INTRODUCTION

In today’s digitally connected world, the dissemination of accurate and timely news is critical for informed
decision-making, public awareness, and societal progress. This research proposes the development of a social
platform that enables users to upload multimedia content including photos, videos, audio, and text files along
with metadata such as location, date, and time. Users can also view posts shared by others from around the world,
subject to approval through decision-making algorithms designed to ensure ethical compliance. The core
objective of this platform is to provide a reliable, transparent, and user-driven medium for the distribution of
news and information while minimizing ethical violations and misinformation.

This platform facilitates user engagement with global events by providing a news feed composed of verified
posts and fostering interactive discussions through comment sections. The motivation behind this project stems
from the prevalence of biased or manipulated reporting in traditional media, which often serves personal or
organizational interests. By enabling the public to participate in sharing and discussing accurate news, this
platform seeks to promote transparency, accountability, and social responsibility.

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A. Advantages of the Platform

1. Provides a reliable avenue for disseminating accurate news with high credibility.

2. Encourages public participation and dialogue on issues of regional and global significance.

3. Facilitates feedback from users, allowing authorities to identify pressing concerns and respond more
efficiently, thereby contributing to social improvement.

B. Development Approach

The system will be implemented using Android Studio for mobile development, web development technologies
for a companion website, and cloud-based databases for data storage. A team of Android developers will design
an interactive application allowing users to upload, comment, rate, save, and repost content. Machine learning
algorithms will evaluate submitted posts to ensure compliance with ethical standards before they are made
publicly available.

C. Project Activities

 Android Development: Design and implement the mobile application.

 Web Development: Develop a web interface mirroring the application’s functionalities.

 Application Features: Post uploading, rating, commenting, saving, and reposting.

D. Ethical Considerations

 Prevention of fake news dissemination.

 Restriction of sensitive content, including sexual abuse, national security breaches, or violent materials.

 Protection of intellectual property rights.

 Prevention of content that could incite crime or conflicts.

 Implementation of robust cybersecurity measures for user accounts.

 Ensuring data protection by implementing strict policies on personal data collection and storage.

E. Cost Estimation

Type of implementation Time takes to implement cost

App development 4-5 weeks $1500

Web development 4-5 weeks $1500

Cloud storage 6-7 days $60(initially)

Machine learning algorithms 3-4 weeks $3500

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Cyber security 3-4 weeks $3500

Publicity 10-12 weeks $5000

upgrade Every time $5000(approx.)

I have conducted a survey raising some questions which will reflect the opinion of users, listed below.

Surveylink:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAMA
AL6siRxURVlYUUFZVlM3VEkzQlcwNEI3REJDUllMTy4u

Some graphs are shown to understand the responses of the research conducted,


LITERATURE REVIEW

The evolution of media and communication technologies has significantly shaped how people acquire, interpret,
and engage with information. Early studies, such as Downs (1957) and Palfrey & Poole (1987), emphasized that
access to information directly influences democratic participation and voter behavior. As media channels
expanded from print to broadcast and then to digital platforms, researchers began to explore how these transitions
impacted political awareness and civic engagement.

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The knowledge gap hypothesis, first articulated in classic works such as Gaziano (1997) and Genova &
Greenberg (1979), suggests that the rapid dissemination of information through mass media tends to benefit
individuals with higher socio-economic and educational backgrounds more than others, thereby widening the
gap in public knowledge. This phenomenon persisted in the digital age, as studies by Bimber (2001, 2003),
Curran et al. (2009), and Delli Carpini & Keeter (1996) observed differences in how citizens accessed and
processed political information through the Internet and other emerging media. Similarly, DiMaggio and
Hargittai (2001) shifted the discussion from the digital divide to digital inequality, noting that disparities in skills
and usage continue to affect information access even when connectivity becomes universal.

The Internet’s increasing role in shaping public discourse was examined by scholars such as Graber (1990, 1994,
2004), who highlighted the importance of visual and mediated communication in public learning, and Noveck
(2000) and Norris (2001), who discussed how digital technologies could either strengthen or weaken democratic
participation depending on accessibility and credibility. Studies such as Gibson, Lusoli, & Ward (2005), Polat
(2005), and Lupia & Philpot (2005) demonstrated that online participation enhances civic involvement when
users are motivated and the information environment is transparent. However, research by Prior (2005, 2007)
warned that increased media choice can polarize audiences and deepen inequalities in knowledge and political
involvement.

Recent contributions, including Anduiza (2010), Kim (2008), and Grönlund (2007), have shown that the Internet
can bridge knowledge gaps when designed to promote inclusivity, interactivity, and trust. Jerit, Barabas, &
Bolsen (2006) also emphasized that the quality and credibility of available information are key factors in
determining whether digital media reduce or exacerbate disparities in knowledge.

Building upon these insights, the proposed digital news platform seeks to address the persistent challenges of
accuracy, immediacy, and equitable access to information. By leveraging automation, user interactivity, and
verified reporting mechanisms, this system aims to minimize the knowledge gap and promote inclusive
participation in the global flow of news and information.

Proposed System

The proposed system introduces an interactive, digital news platform designed to deliver accurate, real-time
information from verified freelance reporters and citizen contributors across the globe. This system aims to
eliminate the delays, biases, and high operational costs associated with traditional news media by leveraging
automation, crowd-sourced reporting, and data-driven verification mechanisms.

A. System Overview

The platform connects three primary stakeholders — news contributors, verification teams, and end users —
through a cloud-based ecosystem. Registered users can instantly upload news updates, images, or videos from
their mobile devices. These reports are automatically geotagged, categorized, and verified using an AI-assisted
validation system before being made publicly accessible to viewers.

B. System Architecture

The architecture of the proposed system consists of the following key modules:

1) User Module

 Allows both freelance and registered reporters to post live updates, photos, or short videos directly from
their smartphones.

 Each submission includes metadata such as time, location, and category (e.g., political, environmental,
social).

 Users can interact with published news through likes, comments, and shares, increasing engagement.

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2) Verification and Validation Module

 Employs a hybrid verification model combining AI-based filtering and human moderation.

 Machine learning algorithms flag duplicate or suspicious reports using content similarity, timestamp
validation, and source reliability scoring.

 Human moderators or certified journalists confirm authenticity before publication, ensuring accuracy and
credibility.

3) Database Management Module

 A secure, cloud-based database (e.g., Firebase, MongoDB) stores all verified news, multimedia content,
and user profiles.

 Implements encryption and secure access controls to protect user data and prevent tampering.

 Metadata allows for efficient search and categorization of news by region, time, and topic.

4) Notification and Distribution Module

 Users receive real-time notifications based on location and interest preferences.

 The system integrates a content recommendation algorithm to personalize news feeds and ensure
relevance.

 Supports multilingual content delivery to reach a global audience.

5) Analytics and Reporting Module

 Collects and analyzes user engagement data such as views, shares, and feedback to enhance future
reporting accuracy.

 Provides data insights for media organizations, policymakers, and researchers.

 Enables predictive trend analysis to identify emerging events before they gain mainstream attention.

C. Technology Stack

The system can be developed using the following tools and technologies:

 Frontend: Flutter / React Native (for cross-platform mobile and web applications)

 Backend: Firebase / Node.js for real-time database management and authentication

 AI & Analytics: Python (for data verification, classification, and analysis)

 Cloud Infrastructure: Google Cloud Platform / AWS for scalable and secure hosting

 Security: End-to-end encryption, SSL protocols, and user authentication (via OTP or OAuth)

D. Advantages of the Proposed System

 Instantaneous Delivery: Enables real-time sharing of verified news across regions.

 Cost Efficiency: Reduces dependency on physical infrastructure and field reporters.

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 Accuracy and Transparency: Combines AI and human validation for high reliability.

 Global Accessibility: Multilingual and location-based delivery ensures inclusivity.

 Employment Creation: Generates opportunities for freelance reporters, developers, and data analysts.

E. Expected Outcome

The proposed system will create a decentralized, interactive news ecosystem that empowers individuals to
participate in global information exchange. It ensures that news is not only delivered faster but also remains
credible, verifiable, and inclusive. Ultimately, this platform promotes informed citizenship and strengthens
communication.

Business Plan

The initial investment required for this project is estimated to be approximately $21,000. As the product is
designed as a service-oriented digital platform, there is potential to secure funding from organizations and
investors interested in innovative media technologies.

A promising approach to scaling this project is through strategic partnerships with news channels. By
collaborating with such media networks as franchise partners, the application can serve as a global reporting
network, enabling channels to receive timely, authentic news reports from freelance contributors around the
world. This model significantly reduces operational costs for news organizations, eliminating the need for
expensive equipment and large on-ground teams, while increasing the speed and diversity of news acquisition.

To initiate the project, a bank loan may be secured to cover early-stage development, infrastructure, and
marketing expenses. The investment will be strategically allocated to ensure sustainable growth and efficient
deployment.

A. Revenue Model and Return on Investment

Based on the survey conducted among potential users, the market response has been overwhelmingly positive:

 69% of respondents expressed a strong willingness to subscribe to the service.

 An additional 15% indicated that they might subscribe, representing a significant opportunity for
conversion through targeted marketing and value-added features.

Revenue will be generated through three primary channels:

1. Subscription Plans: Paid users will have access to premium features and exclusive content.

2. Advertisements: Non-subscribed users will encounter limited advertisements within the news feed,
creating an additional revenue stream.

3. Partnerships with News Channels: Collaborating media houses will pay a partnership or data-access fee,
as freelance reporters using the platform will provide them with verified, real-time news coverage from
diverse regions.

With this multifaceted revenue approach and strong early market interest, the project demonstrates promising
potential for profitability and long-term scalability in the digital news ecosystem.

CONCLUSION

This platform has the potential to revolutionize the way people interact with news and information worldwide.
As the global trend continues toward automation and digitalization, this project stands at the forefront of

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innovation in media communication. It not only redefines the role of traditional news reporters but also creates
new employment opportunities in fields such as freelance journalism, web development, cybersecurity, and data
analytics.

By enabling users to access news instantly and accurately, this platform bridges the existing gap in information
delivery. Historically, the evolution of news dissemination—from newspapers to radio, television, and now
digital streaming—has often come at the cost of accuracy and immediacy. Our application addresses this
challenge by ensuring both reliability and real-time access to information.

From a business perspective, the investment required is minimal compared to the potential returns, making it a
highly scalable and profitable venture. Ultimately, this platform will foster greater public engagement,
awareness, and global connectivity, contributing to a more informed and interactive world.

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