The role of online communities in transforming news production: challenges and opportunities

Purpose This study explores how community managers in Greek digital journalism perceive online communities' role in transforming news production and engagement. Traditional journalism has evolved toward participatory approaches, yet limited research examines creators' and managers' perspectives, particularly in non-English speaking contexts. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four prominent online communities that have been pioneers in the area. The interviews comprised 13–16 questions organized into thematic sections along the same axes for each interviewee, though they presented slight differentiations depending on each outlet. Findings Online communities are essential for fostering engagement and creating sustainable alternative journalism models. Community building requires balancing dialogue with constructive standards. Subscription models enable editorial independence, while feminist platforms demonstrate how shared values strengthen cohesion. However, managing hostile behavior presents ongoing challenges requiring sophisticated moderation. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to four Greek platforms, focusing on managers' perspectives rather than audience experiences. Future research should expand geographically and incorporate community viewpoints. Practical implications The findings offer insights for practitioners developing community-centered approaches. Well-managed online communities enhance news credibility, provide sustainable funding alternatives and strengthen democratic engagement while requiring significant moderation investment. Social implications Online news communities contribute to democratic discourse by providing platforms for civic engagement and diverse representation. Success depends on management strategies balancing freedom of expression with constructive dialogue standards. Originality/value This research provides the first systematic examination of community management perspectives in Greek digital journalism, contributing to understanding how participatory journalism functions within culturally specific environments and offering practical guidance for sustainable online communities.