Digital news organizations have long used reader-powered publishing platforms as a way to generate free content as well as to increase the time that readers spend on their websites. Some newspapers and magazines have been slow to develop these platforms because they worry about quality control. The New York Times, for example, screens every reader comment for tone and language before publishing.

But as it has become clear that readers spend more time on websites where they can actively participate, more publications are embracing these types of platforms. Forbes, Entertainment Weekly and Condé Nast Traveler have all either deployed reader platforms or announced they are rebuilding their websites to have the capability soon.

The Times, which will commit up to six employees to the project, said that it had considered buying available software but concluded along with The Post that it would be easier to customize a platform built in-house. Such a platform would also allow the publisher to retain valuable user data instead of handing it to a third party.

Through the new platform, the news organizations said in a release, “Readers will be able to submit pictures, links and other media; track discussions; and manage their contributions and online identities.” The news outlets can then collect and use the reader content “for other forms of storytelling and to spark ongoing discussions.”

“The web offers all sorts of new and exciting ways of engaging with communities far beyond the ubiquitous — and often terrible — comments sections at the bottom of articles,” said Dan Sinker, head of the Knight-Mozilla OpenNews initiative, who will lead the project. “With this collaboration, we’re bringing together top talent to build new tools for newsrooms to engage.”