Maria Cruz Negreira Rey is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Communication Sciences, Faculty of Communication Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela. She is affiliated with the Institute of Studies and Development of Galicia (IDEGA). Her research focuses on digital media innovation, hyperlocal journalism, and the intersection of technology with news production. She holds a Doctorate (2020) from the same university, with a thesis on hyperlocal cybermedia in Spain, supervised by Dr. Xosé López García. Her academic work emphasizes the transformation of journalism in the digital age, particularly exploring AI integration in communication sectors, audience-driven journalism, and challenges posed by news deserts. Key research areas include media geography, risk communication (e.g., radon gas reporting), and the adaptation of journalism to platforms like TikTok and Twitch. She has also studied comparative models of hyperlocal media in Spain and the Netherlands, and the role of digital native media in societal communication. Her publications highlight trends such as the blurring boundaries between traditional journalism and citizen-generated content, the ethical implications of AI in media, and the strategic reinvention of local journalism in the face of technological disruption. While no formal awards are listed, her prolific output reflects significant contributions to media studies and communication science. Her research extends to media labs, innovation in public service broadcasting, and the sociability functions of online media networks. She collaborates on projects mapping media landscapes, such as Galicia’s digital media ecosystem, and analyzing the impact of instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp in news dissemination.




