SAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY, PUNE

IN THE PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT OF

MASTER OF COMPUTER SCIENCE (MSC(CS))

Research Paper
Online News Portal

SUBMITTED BY

Akash khawle
chetan chavan
Goraksh Patil

Sai Sakal Shikshan Prasarak Mandal

COLLEGE OF COMPUTER SCIENCES
SN. 130, Mumbai-Bangalore Highway, Bhumkar Chowk, Wakad, Pune – 411057

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 Index

Sr No. Title Page No.

1 Abstract 3
2 Introduction 4
3 Literature Review 5
4 Problem Definition 6
5 Methodology 7
6 Results 9
7 Future Work and 10
Limitations
8 Conclusion 11
9 Bibliography 12

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1. Abstract
With the increasing reliance on digital media, the demand for instant,
personalized news has grown exponentially. This research paper outlines the
design, development, and implementation of an Online News Portal,
leveraging the MERN (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) stack to deliver
real-time, interactive, and secure digital journalism solutions. By addressing
the limitations of traditional platforms, this portal introduces features such as
user interactivity, multimedia integration, and administrative control. Future
iterations will focus on refining user customization and expanding offline
functionalities.

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2. Introduction
1.1 Background

Traditional news platforms like newspapers, TV, and radio are limited in their
ability to meet real-time information needs. In a fast-paced world where
information is a critical resource, delays in news delivery can hinder decision-
making, awareness, and engagement.

1.2 Purpose

This project introduces a dynamic, user-centric news portal that offers:

1. Real-time updates across multiple categories.

2. Personalization features tailored to user preferences.
3. Secure and scalable design to accommodate growing user bases.

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3. Literature Review
3.1 Current Trends in News Consumption

A survey of existing platforms like BBC News, Times of India, and Zee News
highlights the transition from traditional media to interactive, digital platforms.
These platforms rely heavily on:

 Real-time delivery for breaking news.

 Multimedia integration (images, videos, and live streams).
 User engagement features, such as comment sections and share options.

3.2 Gaps in Existing Systems

Despite their popularity, these platforms face challenges:

1. Limited content personalization for individual users.

2. Lack of advanced filtering for customized searches.
3. Inability to provide offline access or downloadable content.

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4. Problem Definition
Existing methods of accessing news—whether through traditional media or
outdated online portals—do not align with the modern user’s need for speed,
accuracy, and convenience. Key pain points include:

1. Delays in news delivery.

2. Cumbersome navigation in traditional formats.
3. Limited user interaction with content.

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5. Methodology
5.1 System Design Overview

The system comprises two main modules:

1. Admin Module:
o News Management: Add, update, or delete news articles.
o User Moderation: Oversee comments and flagged content.
o Dashboard: View analytics and user activity.
2. User Module:
o Registration: Secure user sign-up with verification.
o Personalization: Save preferred categories and news articles.
o Interaction: Comment, share, and rate articles.

5.2 Technical Specifications

Frontend

 React.js: Ensures a dynamic, responsive user interface.

 Axios Library: Facilitates seamless API communication for real-time
data fetches.

Backend

 Node.js & Express.js: Efficient server-side processing for RESTful

APIs.
 JWT Authentication: Secures user sessions and prevents unauthorized
access.

Database

 MongoDB Atlas: Provides scalable, cloud-based data storage for

managing user and content data.
 Schemas:
o User Schema: Manages profile details, preferences, and saved
articles.
o News Schema: Organizes articles by title, category, timestamp,
and multimedia.

4.3 Data Collection Process

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Primary Data

 User Surveys: Collected feedback on preferred news categories

and desired features.
Example Questions:
o What features would enhance your news-reading experience?
o Do you prefer news by topic or chronological updates?

Secondary Data

 Market Analysis: Examined engagement trends on top platforms like

NDTV and The Hindu.
 Academic Research: Reviewed studies on user behavior in digital
journalism.

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6. Results
The Online News Portal was successfully developed, achieving the following
outcomes:

6.1 User Features

1. Category Browsing: Users can filter news by politics, sports,

entertainment, and more.
2. Real-Time Updates: Instant news refresh with notifications for breaking
stories.
3. Personalized Feeds: News tailored to user-selected preferences.
4. Interactive Comments: Users can share opinions and read community
feedback.

6.2 Admin Capabilities

1. Content Management: Adding and categorizing news articles with

multimedia.
2. Analytics Dashboard: Insights into user engagement and
popular categories.
3. Content Moderation: Reviewing and removing inappropriate comments.

6.3 System Performance

 Scalability: MongoDB Atlas handled large datasets efficiently

during stress testing.
 Security: Implemented role-based access control for admin and user
operations.
 Usability: Achieved high user satisfaction in prototype evaluations.

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7. Future Work and Limitations
7.1 Current Limitations

1. No advanced filtering or search suggestions.

2. Lack of downloadable content or offline viewing options.
3. Users cannot reset their passwords after registration.

7.2 Planned Enhancements

1. Advanced Filtering: Allow users to search by keywords, regions, or

publication dates.
2. Offline Mode: Enable article downloads for offline reading.
3. Password Management: Add a secure password recovery system.

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8. Conclusion
The Online News Portal addresses the growing demand for personalized, real-
time news solutions. With a robust architecture and user-focused design, this
project lays the foundation for future innovations in digital journalism. As
enhancements are implemented, the portal will further elevate user experiences,
setting a benchmark for online news platforms.

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9. Bibliography
1. React – A JavaScript library for building user interfaces (reactjs.org)
2. MongoDB Atlas – Cloud Database (mongodb.com)
3. Times of India – Analysis of Digital News (indiatimes.com)
4. Academic Journals – Digital Journalism Trends and Insights

References/resources used for developing project: 1. React – A JavaScript library for building user
interfaces (reactjs.org) 2. Stack Overflow - Where Developers Learn, Share, & Build Careers 3. News
-
Latest News, Breaking News, Bollywood, Sports, Business and Political News | Times of India
(indiatimes.com) 4. Zee News: Latest News, Live Breaking News, Today News, India Political
News Updates 5. What Is The MERN Stack? Introduction & Examples | MongoDB

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