Research process

What's here

Reports, methods, and findings from our audience research and service design work in restrictive information environments. We adapt our approaches to each context and share what we learn. If it's useful to you, use it.

Who it's for

Journalists, media practitioners, researchers, NGO staff, and anyone working on how civic information reaches people, especially in exile or under pressure.

Why we share it

Others face similar challenges. We'd rather put our process out there than keep it to ourselves. 

You can reach us at hello@gazzetta.xyz.

Our Approach (and how can you use it)

Audience research

What problems do people have before you create anything? We study how people in a given context find, use, and share information — and where the gaps are.

Reporting

What information can you surface that algorithms can't? We look at how to gather information securely in environments where it's scattered or deliberately hidden, including hybrid approaches like civic scraping.

Product

What daily utility do you provide beyond stories? We test formats, platforms, and engagement approaches to find what works for specific audiences and constraints.

Distribution

How do you reach people through channels you actually control? We test distribution methods, technologies, and partnerships that work around censorship, surveillance, and access barriers.

Building trust 

How do you prove credibility through actions, not claims? We study how information providers signal authenticity and earn loyalty in low-trust environments.

Building Habituation 

What routine can you become part of? We look at what makes people come back and share, turning one-time access into ongoing use.