WordPress is set to launch a new publishing platform backed by Google, ethereum development studio ConsenSys and others, which will offer blockchain features. The new product, Newspack, was announced Monday, described as an “inexpensive” platform which offers technology and support for small and medium-sized news organizations.
Coindesk reports that Google led Newspack’s funding, with a $1.2 million investment, meanwhile ConsenSys invested $350,000. In addition, The Lenfest Institute for Journalism and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation invested $400,000 and $250,000, respectively.
A representative from ConsenSys confirmed the investment to Coindesk on Wednesday, in which they added that newsrooms accessing Newspack have the option to utilize blockchain-based features, possible through ConsenSys-backed Civil Media.
Civil’s Publisher product, which allows newsrooms to permanently archive content on a decentralized network, will be installed on the WordPress platform as a plugin for any newsroom to use. It will also offer access to a “discovery portal” for consumers who are seeking news.
“The plugin will also act as a portal that will walk newsrooms through how to join the Civil Registry, the hub of community-vetted and -approved newsrooms,” the representative said.
Though Civil was faced with some challenges, including a failed token-based fundraiser that it later relaunched, the firm assisted a news site in archiving a full article on the ethereum blockchain in December. The Associated Press even announced plans in August 2018 to collaborate with Civil on content licenses based on blockchain technology.
