Simona Bisiani
@simonabisiani.bsky.social
Doctoral Researcher at the Institute for People-Centred AI, University of Surrey. Local Media research through text mining.
Reposted by Simona Bisiani
The hollowing out of local newspapers
Journalistic performance decline and content homogenisation at a major UK publisher
via @simonabisiani.bsky.social @agnesgulyas.bsky.social @bheravi.bsky.social
h/t @joshih.bsky.social
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Journalistic performance decline and content homogenisation at a major UK publisher
via @simonabisiani.bsky.social @agnesgulyas.bsky.social @bheravi.bsky.social
h/t @joshih.bsky.social
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
August 4, 2026 at 11:42 AM
The hollowing out of local newspapers
Journalistic performance decline and content homogenisation at a major UK publisher
via @simonabisiani.bsky.social @agnesgulyas.bsky.social @bheravi.bsky.social
h/t @joshih.bsky.social
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Journalistic performance decline and content homogenisation at a major UK publisher
via @simonabisiani.bsky.social @agnesgulyas.bsky.social @bheravi.bsky.social
h/t @joshih.bsky.social
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
We’ve just rolled out the biggest update to the @publicinterestnews.org.uk Local News Map (map.publicinterestnews.org.uk) to date!
We have added a whole new set of features and tabs. I will unpack some here below 🧵👇
We have added a whole new set of features and tabs. I will unpack some here below 🧵👇
PINF Local News Map
A map of local news providers in the United Kingdom
map.publicinterestnews.org.uk
June 17, 2026 at 1:58 PM
We’ve just rolled out the biggest update to the @publicinterestnews.org.uk Local News Map (map.publicinterestnews.org.uk) to date!
We have added a whole new set of features and tabs. I will unpack some here below 🧵👇
We have added a whole new set of features and tabs. I will unpack some here below 🧵👇
Reposted by Simona Bisiani
🚨 Our Digital News Report 2026 is out!
Authored by Jim Egan, Craig T. Robertson, Amy Ross Arguedas, Nic Newman, Rasmus Nielsen, Mitali Mukherjee and Richard Fletcher, it is based on 100K interviews in 48 markets
Full report
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news...
7 findings in thread
Authored by Jim Egan, Craig T. Robertson, Amy Ross Arguedas, Nic Newman, Rasmus Nielsen, Mitali Mukherjee and Richard Fletcher, it is based on 100K interviews in 48 markets
Full report
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news...
7 findings in thread
June 16, 2026 at 6:08 AM
🚨 Our Digital News Report 2026 is out!
Authored by Jim Egan, Craig T. Robertson, Amy Ross Arguedas, Nic Newman, Rasmus Nielsen, Mitali Mukherjee and Richard Fletcher, it is based on 100K interviews in 48 markets
Full report
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news...
7 findings in thread
Authored by Jim Egan, Craig T. Robertson, Amy Ross Arguedas, Nic Newman, Rasmus Nielsen, Mitali Mukherjee and Richard Fletcher, it is based on 100K interviews in 48 markets
Full report
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news...
7 findings in thread
I love Gantt charts as a mean to track and communicate progress. Incredible feeling seeing all my PhD research objectives becoming "Complete", with only one final row left to convert!
March 18, 2026 at 7:24 PM
I love Gantt charts as a mean to track and communicate progress. Incredible feeling seeing all my PhD research objectives becoming "Complete", with only one final row left to convert!
A historic moment for local journalism in the UK: direct state funding is finally happening. I’m especially glad to see:
- up to £12m going to local media through a new fund;
- my research for @publicinterestnews.org.uk cited along the way.
pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/r...
- up to £12m going to local media through a new fund;
- my research for @publicinterestnews.org.uk cited along the way.
pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/r...
New UK state funding of up to £12m for local media
The Government will pay up to £12m funding to local media outlets over the next two years to support innovation and help fill "news deserts".
pressgazette.co.uk
March 17, 2026 at 10:16 AM
A historic moment for local journalism in the UK: direct state funding is finally happening. I’m especially glad to see:
- up to £12m going to local media through a new fund;
- my research for @publicinterestnews.org.uk cited along the way.
pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/r...
- up to £12m going to local media through a new fund;
- my research for @publicinterestnews.org.uk cited along the way.
pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/r...
Reposted by Simona Bisiani
FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatens broadcast licenses over Iran War coverage
March 14, 2026 at 5:23 PM
FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatens broadcast licenses over Iran War coverage
were you dreaming of a UK local news map that shows you local news outlets by constituency? dream no more. await release. I am working on a development version of the map project by the Public Interest News Foundation. #uk #localjournalism #map #localnews
March 9, 2026 at 9:40 PM
were you dreaming of a UK local news map that shows you local news outlets by constituency? dream no more. await release. I am working on a development version of the map project by the Public Interest News Foundation. #uk #localjournalism #map #localnews
this is literally why I am doing a phd on the impact of media ownership consolidation on local news proximity
When a train crashed in Minot, N.D., and a noxious cloud of ammonia gas spread across town, there was no one at the radio stations to sound the alarm and inform residents. "This is just a glaring example of a media system that has no allegiance to local communities,” said @victorpickard.bsky.social.
March 9, 2026 at 9:26 PM
this is literally why I am doing a phd on the impact of media ownership consolidation on local news proximity
My current research method: hourly ethnographic observation of the “submission status” of my manuscript in the journal submission portal.
March 5, 2026 at 1:28 PM
My current research method: hourly ethnographic observation of the “submission status” of my manuscript in the journal submission portal.
Reposted by Simona Bisiani
1) New! The latest data on local news outlets in the UK, mapped! www.publicinterestnews.org.uk/blog/local-n... 📍
Local news launches, closures, and the state of play in 2025
We’ve launched our latest report into the state of local news provision across the UK. In this post, Joe Mitchell, PINF’s deputy director, explains why we do it and shares some of the key findings.
www.publicinterestnews.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 12:24 PM
1) New! The latest data on local news outlets in the UK, mapped! www.publicinterestnews.org.uk/blog/local-n... 📍
The 2025 UK Local News Report from the @publicinterestnews.org.uk is out! We analysed 18 months of changes in the local news ecosystem, mapped news deserts etc. Bonus: we looked at demographic data + LDRS. Report, interactive charts and data here: www.publicinterestnews.org.uk/blog/local-n...
Local news launches, closures, and the state of play in 2025
We’ve launched our latest report into the state of local news provision across the UK. In this post, Joe Mitchell, PINF’s deputy director, explains why we do it and shares some of the key findings.
www.publicinterestnews.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The 2025 UK Local News Report from the @publicinterestnews.org.uk is out! We analysed 18 months of changes in the local news ecosystem, mapped news deserts etc. Bonus: we looked at demographic data + LDRS. Report, interactive charts and data here: www.publicinterestnews.org.uk/blog/local-n...
Community, I need your help! I'm looking for software / python or R package to parse digitised newspapers and automatically detect / segment & extract articles (pictures not so important). does anyone have any tips? please reshare with your network if you have access to the wide CH/CSS community!
November 21, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Community, I need your help! I'm looking for software / python or R package to parse digitised newspapers and automatically detect / segment & extract articles (pictures not so important). does anyone have any tips? please reshare with your network if you have access to the wide CH/CSS community!
The 2025 English Indices of Multiple Deprivation came out today! Updating all my models on the relationship between local news provision and the various dimensions of deprivation. Meanwhile, here's some viz for the nerds: www.datawrapper.de/_/AW9I8/
www.datawrapper.de/_/lNZMS/
www.datawrapper.de/_/lNZMS/
October 30, 2025 at 12:27 PM
The 2025 English Indices of Multiple Deprivation came out today! Updating all my models on the relationship between local news provision and the various dimensions of deprivation. Meanwhile, here's some viz for the nerds: www.datawrapper.de/_/AW9I8/
www.datawrapper.de/_/lNZMS/
www.datawrapper.de/_/lNZMS/
Next year I will finish my phd. I’m looking for perspectives on what paths people take afterwards within academia. What did you get up to after the phd? Do you have any tips for finding and applying to positions in Europe and North America (as a European?) I am also keen on writing grant proposals.
October 25, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Next year I will finish my phd. I’m looking for perspectives on what paths people take afterwards within academia. What did you get up to after the phd? Do you have any tips for finding and applying to positions in Europe and North America (as a European?) I am also keen on writing grant proposals.
Are you interested in local journalism research? Next Friday we are having a free online webinar bringing together a premium selection of UK-based industry leaders, policymakers, journalists, and academics to explore how research can shape the future of local media. Check the link for more!
Select tickets – Bridging the Gap – Local News Research Meets Practice – Teams
Bridging the Gap – Local News Research Meets Practice – Teams, Fri 17 Oct 2025 - Bridging the Gap – Local News Research Meets Practice
Hosted by: MeCCSA Local and Community Media (LCM) Section
Join us...
www.tickettailor.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Are you interested in local journalism research? Next Friday we are having a free online webinar bringing together a premium selection of UK-based industry leaders, policymakers, journalists, and academics to explore how research can shape the future of local media. Check the link for more!
Reposted by Simona Bisiani
83% of local nonprofit news organizations have increased revenue growth by at least 10% over the last three years, compared to 71% of state and regional publications and 76% of national and global outlets.
Nonprofit news is growing strong — especially local nonprofit news, a new report shows
Nonprofit news outlets of all types are enjoying revenue growth — but those that focus specifically on local news, rather than state, national, or global news, are doing especially well, according to…
www.niemanlab.org
October 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
83% of local nonprofit news organizations have increased revenue growth by at least 10% over the last three years, compared to 71% of state and regional publications and 76% of national and global outlets.
Professor Agnes Gulyas approached me to work on a report drawing from academic research on local media to signpost priority directions for industry and policymakers working to make this industry sustainable and protect the value it brings to communities and society.
Report is out!
Report is out!
Challenges and opportunities for UK local media: Insights from academic research : CCCU Research Space Repository
https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/9w1yz/challenges-and-opportunities-for-uk-local-media-insights-from-academic-research
repository.canterbury.ac.uk
October 2, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Professor Agnes Gulyas approached me to work on a report drawing from academic research on local media to signpost priority directions for industry and policymakers working to make this industry sustainable and protect the value it brings to communities and society.
Report is out!
Report is out!
i've written a short blog about how to quickly prototype prompts in openai and use them programmatically. used this workflow today to speedup a manual research task.
I Spent $11 to Hire an AI model as a Researcher Digging into Newspaper Buyouts
Here's how I did it, and what I found
open.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 11:08 PM
i've written a short blog about how to quickly prototype prompts in openai and use them programmatically. used this workflow today to speedup a manual research task.
Late night tales from your one and only.
How Local Is Local News? And Does it Matter?
I'm asking you.
open.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Late night tales from your one and only.
academic dopamine hit: two papers accepted by @comphumresearch.bsky.social this week 📚
journal article on LLMs for toponym resolution and conference paper on deriving a typology of subnational media based on coverage spatial properties. off to Luxembourg in December to present :) links to come!
journal article on LLMs for toponym resolution and conference paper on deriving a typology of subnational media based on coverage spatial properties. off to Luxembourg in December to present :) links to come!
September 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
academic dopamine hit: two papers accepted by @comphumresearch.bsky.social this week 📚
journal article on LLMs for toponym resolution and conference paper on deriving a typology of subnational media based on coverage spatial properties. off to Luxembourg in December to present :) links to come!
journal article on LLMs for toponym resolution and conference paper on deriving a typology of subnational media based on coverage spatial properties. off to Luxembourg in December to present :) links to come!
Last night, I wrote on The Local News Cartographer about my early phd work on building a database of all local news outlets in the UK. One year of research inside a 10(?) minute read. Learn the perks and pain of gathering your own phd data.
How I accidentally spent one year building a database about local news outlets
The PhD detour that might help track Britain's local news crisis?
open.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Last night, I wrote on The Local News Cartographer about my early phd work on building a database of all local news outlets in the UK. One year of research inside a 10(?) minute read. Learn the perks and pain of gathering your own phd data.
incredible dry humour by AI summarising what it’s like to end up in a local news merger operation.
August 28, 2025 at 6:10 PM
incredible dry humour by AI summarising what it’s like to end up in a local news merger operation.
Yep, I'm on Substack: to make my research accessible and useful, I'll translate my work into digestible posts that explain how I study the local news market at scale, through text mining, to ask questions about media ownership, news deserts, and democracy: shorturl.at/q3VKI
August 28, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Yep, I'm on Substack: to make my research accessible and useful, I'll translate my work into digestible posts that explain how I study the local news market at scale, through text mining, to ask questions about media ownership, news deserts, and democracy: shorturl.at/q3VKI
Mobility and Urban Science 2 chaired by the one and only @lecoursonnais.bsky.social. #ic2s2 is off to a great start.
July 22, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Mobility and Urban Science 2 chaired by the one and only @lecoursonnais.bsky.social. #ic2s2 is off to a great start.