Newsquest Media Group Named Finalist in the 2025 Digiday AI Awards

Newsquest Media Group has been shortlisted in the Most Innovative Use of AI by a Publisher category at the 2025 Digiday AI Awards, alongside industry leaders including BCG, Bloomberg Media Studios, and Time.

The recognition celebrates Newsquest’s groundbreaking AI-Assisted Reporter Initiative, which is redefining how technology and trusted journalism work together to deliver meaningful local news.

Transforming Local Journalism with Human-in-the-Loop AI

Launched in late 2022, Newsquest’s in-house AI-Assisted Reporter Initiative was the first of its kind in the UK. Built around a proprietary tool, the program enables AI to draft routine stories such as community updates, planning applications, and press releases using verified data in a secure, closed-loop system.

Unlike open AI models, Newsquest’s approach keeps humans firmly in control: editors and journalists verify every story, maintaining accuracy, accountability, and local nuance. This human-in-the-loop model ensures AI supports (not replaces) reporters, freeing them to spend more time out in their communities, conducting interviews, investigations, and in-depth storytelling.

“AI technology has unlocked new opportunities for newsrooms, allowing us to reclaim time to focus on what we do best; face-to-face journalism,” said Toby Granville, Editorial Development Director at Newsquest. “We’re proving that AI innovation can uphold traditional values while driving meaningful change across every newsroom.”

A Win for Reporters, Readers, and Communities

Today, more than 30 AI-assisted reporters across the UK support newsrooms from Cornwall to Scotland, producing over 10,000 stories every month.

This innovation has allowed journalists to reclaim time for original reporting while expanding local coverage for readers.

The results speak for themselves:

• 190 million article reads in January 2025 – a record-breaking month for Newsquest.

• 113,000 digital subscribers, up 31% year-on-year, earning a place among the Top 50 global digital subscription publishers.

• Recognised as Publishing Innovation of the Year, outperforming national titles including the Financial Times.

“The beauty of this initiative lies in what it allows our journalists to do… focus on original ideas and meaningful community stories,” said Peter Grant, Digital Content, Social and Audience Manager. “It’s ushering in a new era of news production at Newsquest and, I believe, in our industry.”

Celebrating Innovation in Responsible AI

Now in its first year, the Digiday AI Awards recognises organisations using artificial intelligence to advance creativity, accessibility, and responsible innovation across media, marketing, and advertising. This year’s finalists – including Time, Vermillio, and Critical Mass – reflect how the industry is harnessing AI to empower people, protect creators, and engage audiences in new ways.

Being named among them underscores Newsquest’s leadership in ethical AI innovation and its mission to strengthen local journalism through thoughtful technology adoption.

“AI has become an ally in our mission to inform, engage, and empower local communities,” said Granville. “This recognition is a testament to our editors, developers, and AI-assisted reporters who are shaping the future of sustainable, values-driven journalism.”

About Newsquest Media Group

Newsquest is one of the UK’s largest regional media groups, publishing more than 250 trusted local news brands in print and online, reaching 7 million readers in print and 41 million online each month. Its portfolio includes digital marketing agency LOCALiQ, which continues to earn national recognition for its data-driven campaigns and thought leadership.

Most recently, LOCALiQ has been shortlisted across multiple categories at the UK Agency Awards and Search Engine Land Awards, including Integrated Search Agency of the Year and Best Integration of Search into Omnichannel Marketing – highlighting the group’s commitment to innovation not only in journalism, but across the wider digital marketing landscape.

Meet the Author

Brandon Griffin

Brandon is the Interim Marketing Director for LOCALiQ. He has more than 10-years of experience in digital marketing – Brandon has worked with Non-Profit, Education, Retail, Government, Energy, Real Estate, Automotive, and Health Care clients, strategically optimising campaigns for positive ROI.

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