This seems like a step in the right direction.
As for what to do for what I think it should be on a kind of scale.
If its for a faction like Nep, Yam, all the others thats already leaning towards RP but not quite there yet. If its something major like a Ship, major technology (think what is clearly some new or clearly important new tech), maybe important stuff to a faction that is used a lot like PA, etc. Should require at most a news article you might see in the present day every time a military or government unveils something so players can see that and be aware of it and look at it without needing to pay attention to the submission forum.
New planets/systems should obviously require RP. Even if its an SP or a JP, and also if applicable also some news or announcement since imo thats a big deal to discover a new place and would be on the news for your faction telling all about it and its discovery. But anything short of major releases like systems, planets, starships, and etc. Shouldnt really require RP unless on request by a submitter if they feel it is important enough to warrant it.
Indipendent leaning groups, small factions, NPC stuff like for instance whoever builds the new mega-enemy(unless you want to do news stuff about sightings of myseterious so and so before they launch); I dont think should weigh the same concern. For instance if Origin makes a ship yeah you might get a new news advertisement for it, but if a small corp like Danas new Davy Boone or Shastacorp, or pretty much nobodies I dont think you need a new SP or JP or news article every five seconds for their product list being filled unless they want to for every new gun, armor, bomb, etc. Unless its in that important categories and should be up to the review to decide.