Live News - Smart News Aggregator using Blockchain

Abstract

Blockchain is considered as one of the greatest inventions in the modern world. In simple terms, it’s a list of blocks or records grouped together using cryptographic functions. Characters such as decentralization, transparency and immutability make the blockchain invention unique and applicable to wide variety of industries. Initially, blockchain was identified as a technology to address problems in the financial industry and as a result digital currencies or cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum emerged gaining popularity around the world. However, blockchain is not necessarily limited to financial industry and later it was identified with correct application, the technology could be used to tackle issues in industries such as real-estate, healthcare, education. LivNews – Smart News Aggregator was developed with the aim of minimizing the spread of fake news among people and making use of the blockchain technology underneath the platform. The prototype developed as a part of this dissertation provides a mobile and web platform to users keep themselves up to date with verified news and avoid and ignore the fake news which they’re exposed to. LivNews – Smart News Aggregator uses Hyperledger Fabric blockchain underneath and news items are verified through a consensus of pre-identified credible news sources and volunteers who would contribute by checking the validity of each news item directed for validation. Entire operations and workflows are transparent and the general users are capable of realizing the status with regard to a particular news item which they’re interested. The solution consists of mobile, web interface for the general users, underlying blockchain platform and sperate mobile, web for pre-identified credible news sources.