Startup Idea: Web Integrated Modern Communication Platform for News Outlets

Startup idea to develop a modern, integrated message board technology for news and blog-type websites. This platform would enable direct communication and engagement between readers, reporters, and other readers, within the ecosystem of the existing website, while also allowing the publishers to maintain control over content and advertising.

I work for a chain of newspapers and one of the problems I would like to see solved with a new technology is a different way of communicating with readers. We use social media currently, but on our website there is no real means of communicating with reporters, or with other readers, about stories, other than leaving comments on an outdated commenting system. I think a system like a modern message board (Slack or even a Discord type model?) that could be integrated directly on content provider's websites could spur more interaction and engagement with readers. They could provide tips, or talk about stories, within the ecosystem of the existing website. This type of product, in my mind, could work for any content provider, but I mostly see the appear for news and blog-type sites. I have looked around for other solutions. You could use Slack or Discord like many communities do online, but for newspapers, a lot of the readers would struggle with setting up accounts for these. Plus, the publishers would want more control than these programs provide, and integrating it within the existing framework of the website, would allow us to continue to pump out our advertising.