Answer Details

Here are three U.S.-based TikTok accounts that are among the more *trustworthy* sources for political/news content — along with caveats and what to look out for (because as you know, even on TikTok you need to vet carefully). --- ### 1. V Spehar / UnderTheDeskNews       **Why this one stands out:** * V Spehar (on TikTok as UnderTheDeskNews) is a journalist-creator whose work is oriented toward explaining current-events and policy for Gen Z / younger audiences. ([underthedesknews.com][1]) * Their format tends to be summarising headlines + relevant context, and they’ve been recognized (e.g., by traditional media) for this work. ([underthedesknews.com][1]) * Because the creator identifies clearly as journalism-oriented (rather than pure commentary/influencer) this gives you somewhat higher trust. **Caveats & user-tips:** * Even creators like this simplify complex policy/issues for short-form video — so always check the full context if it’s a topic you care about deeply. * Check for references/sources in the video (or linked) — credible creators will often mention where they got the info. * TikTok’s algorithm and format favour quick takes and “viral” angles — ensure you’re seeing recurring coverage from the same account (not just one hit). --- ### 2. The Washington Post (TikTok account)       **Why this one stands out:** * The Washington Post is a legacy news organisation with established journalistic standards. Among TikTok journalism accounts it is often cited. ([Jareen Imam][2]) * The fact they maintain an official channel on TikTok means you can trace content back to a known newsroom, which helps with transparency. **Caveats & user-tips:** * Even legacy organisations’ short-form clips will be edited/condensed, so nuance can be lost — if you see a topic you care about, check the full article/long-form piece. * On TikTok, many posts will be designed for quick engagement — interpret accordingly. * Because the format is “scrollable”, you may receive only a portion of the story; always check for omissions. --- ### 3. Brian Tyler Cohen       **Why this one stands out:** * Brian Tyler Cohen is a political commentator/journalist-podcaster with a presence on TikTok, among other platforms. ([Wikipedia][3]) * Because he has a broader media footprint, you can cross-check his TikTok content with his longer-form interviews/podcasts. **Caveats & user-tips:** * He leans progressive (so there is a viewpoint). That doesn’t invalidate the content, but you should be aware of perspective. * As with many creators, short-form can sometimes emphasise hot takes — if you see a claim that surprises you, doing a quick lookup is wise. --- ### ✅ Summary Table of What to Look For | ✅ Criteria | 🔍 Why it matters on TikTok | | -------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Creator identifies as journalist/news-organisation | Helps distinguish “news entertainment” from purely commentary/influence. | | Sources / links / context given | Short-form often misses nuance; credible creators point to underlying data/articles. | | Transparent viewpoint and fact-checking | Even trustworthy accounts might have bias or simplify; you still need to apply your judgment. | | Regular track record vs one-off viral video | A steady output of credible content is better than one viral hit. | | Ability to cross-check on other platforms | If you can find a podcast/article/site by the same creator, you can dig deeper. | --- ### ⚠️ Bigger Picture: Why Caution is Essential * According to the Pew Research Center, while many TikTok users see news there, quite a bit of it comes through influencers/people who are not trained journalists. ([Pew Research Center][4]) * Studies show that politically-aligned content tends to perform strongly on the platform, which can amplify one-sided narratives. ([arxiv.org][5]) * Because your feed is algorithm-driven, you may see skewed content unless you actively follow varied sources. --- If you like, I can **pull together a longer list (say 10-15) of TikTok accounts across the political spectrum** (left, centre, right) that meet credibility criteria (journalistic background, transparency, sourcing) and we can flag their leanings. Would you like that? [1]: https://underthedesknews.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Under the Desk News" [2]: https://jareenimam.com/blog/who-are-the-top-journalists-on-tiktok?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Who are the top journalists on TikTok?" [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Tyler_Cohen?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Brian Tyler Cohen" [4]: https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2024/06/12/tiktok-users-experiences-with-news/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "TikTok users' experiences with news" [5]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.17831?utm_source=chatgpt.com "TikTok's recommendations skewed towards Republican content during the 2024 U.S. presidential race"