How would you go about getting help to research and write the content if you had a budget of...
1. $1k 2. $10k 3. Unlimited resources
Duration is key. Look at aldaily which has transitioned from one curator to another and remained valuable.
Do not mistake discussion channels for free speech spaces. Your publication can and should moderate feedback and declare upfront you moderate.
By all means have a CoC but don't get sidetracked into CoC wars.
Professional writing is not cheap. Do not attempt to undercut the market nor claim "you will get coverage and acquire merit by giving me a freebie" to authors.
Pay per word and pay per article are not comparable.
Hire good lawyers. You are exposed to contact law issues, IPR issues and libel issues.
Advertising requires it's own policy. You won't retain liberal minded readers with NRA gun shilling.
Avoid cheap markup tricks.
Learn from the long reads trend.