Answer Details

The most trustworthy U.S. political news accounts on TikTok are generally those run by established, independent news organizations that adhere to traditional journalistic standards of nonpartisanship and fact-checking, such as the Associated Press, Reuters, and major broadcast networks. Established News Organizations These accounts are run by media outlets with a long history of professional journalism. They often feature a mix of news coverage and breaking stories, maintaining a level of accountability not always present with independent creators. @apnews The Associated Press is known for its independent, nonpartisan, and factual reporting and is widely trusted across the political spectrum. @reuters Reuters is another highly trusted news agency with a global reputation for objective reporting and is considered a reliable source for news. @abcnews, @cbsnews, and @nbcnews Major legacy broadcast networks have found success on the platform and adhere to traditional journalistic standards. Independent Journalists and Commentators Pew Research Center studies show that many Americans on TikTok follow independent content creators, not just traditional news organizations. These influencers often blend commentary with news and tend to have a specific political leaning. @aaronparnas Aaron Parnas is an American journalist with a large following who offers news commentary, generally from a progressive viewpoint. @vspehar V Spehar, known as "Under the Desk," is an independent creator trusted enough to serve as an ambassador for the Poynter Institute's MediaWise initiative, which focuses on media literacy. Important Considerations Media Bias: Research indicates that while some outlets like The Weather Channel and BBC enjoy broad bipartisan trust, most U.S. political news sources are viewed differently across party lines. Outlets often considered polarizing (e.g., CNN, Fox News, MSNBC) have significant trust among their respective partisan audiences but not among the general population. Algorithm and Bias: TikTok's recommendation algorithm has been found to skew towards certain types of content, so it is important to actively seek a variety of sources to get a balanced perspective. Fact-Checking: Unlike traditional newsrooms, most social media influencers do not have the same rigorous fact-checking processes. Verifying information from multiple sources is crucial when using social media for news. For reliable information, following a diverse range of accounts, including those from established, nonpartisan news agencies, is recommended. Media bias charts, such as those from Ad Fontes or All Sides Now, can be helpful tools for understanding the leanings of different sources.