Open-Source or ‘Black Box’? For Newsrooms, Open Code is a Clear Winner

Choosing the right content management system (CMS) is a critical decision for any news organisation. Whether your newsroom is staffed with two journalists or 200, one of the key factors to consider when selecting a news management system is whether to go with open-source or proprietary software.

While each has its advantages, an open-source tool is typically best for customers keen to keep costs down. In addition to cost, security is also an important element. And contrary to popular belief, the security of open-source software is equivalent and often superior to closed – or “black box” – tools.

In this post, we’ll discuss what makes an open-source headless CMS a secure choice for managing a digital newsroom and distributing news content. Prominent media outlets such as The Times and The Sunday Times, The Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, and Al Jazeera all use open-source software to create and publish their content, benefiting from its exceptional flexibility, scalability, and user-friendly interface.

What is an Open-Source Headless CMS?

Open-source software means that the source code of the software is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and share. Unlike a traditional CMS – think WordPress – a headless CMS separates the content management backend from the presentation layer, making it simplified, and provides a focus on content production rather than delivery.

Security Advantages of an Open-Source CMS

Transparency

One security advantage of an open-source CMS is transparency. Since the source code is openly available, everyone can access or modify it for their own needs. This enables experienced developers with the know-how to identify any vulnerabilities and errors in the code, and propose solutions, solving problems as they occur. This approach can result in the quicker identification and resolution of security issues compared to proprietary software, where only a limited number of developers have access (typically employees of the company selling the product).

Community Monitoring

Typically, open-source CMS projects attract large and active communities, which play an important role in maintaining security. Community members constantly monitor for potential security threats and work collectively to address them. When a vulnerability is discovered, it is quickly communicated, and updates can be released to reduce or eliminate security risks. This ensures that security issues are addressed efficiently.

Regular Updates

An open-source CMS benefits from frequent updates. Developers regularly release updates to improve functionality and security, and to introduce new features. These updates are available to all users, who can implement them to protect their newsroom from threats.

Examples of News Organisations Using an Open-Source Headless CMS

AAP, the Australian Associated Press, upgraded its newsroom software to Superdesk in 2016. The main reasons for the change were the advantages an open-source system offered, such as no licensing cost and the flexibility to modify code for easy integration with existing systems, eliminating the need for middleware. The Superdesk project gave reporters and editors control over how their publishing software functioned.

“Open-source software has transformed the content management landscape over the years by elevating return on investment. Superdesk, built by journalists for journalists, is an essential tool in digital newsrooms, enabling efficient news creation, curation, and circulation with enhanced adaptability, integrity and security. These features make Superdesk a cornerstone of modern news production,” said Abbás Khán, a senior systems engineer at Sourcefabric.

Similarly, Belga, the leading news agency in Belgium, is also using Superdesk. When editors decided to replace their newsroom’s outdated CMS, they opted against investing resources into implementing a proprietary content management system. Instead, they choose an open-source headless CMS. Working with Superdesk, Belga developed new newsroom features that fit the outlet’s evolving needs, including enhanced security and smoother workflows.

Open-source CMSs offer numerous benefits, including flexibility, transparency, speed of innovation, and cost-effectiveness. With the advantages of an open-source newsroom CMS, any security concern or vulnerability can be easily addressed.

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