Answer Details

1. V Spehar (TikTok: @UnderTheDeskNews) Why this is one of the more reliable ones: • Spehar has a clear self-described journalism/creator role: they launched content in April 2020 with the goal of making news accessible.  • They cover current events, provide succinct explanations, not just memes or clickbait.  • They’ve been recognized by media outlets for this role.  What you still need to keep your guard up for: • This is still short-form social media: their content is rapid, bite-sized — which means less depth than a full news article. • They are an individual creator, not a major newsroom, so everything still warrants cross-checking with established outlets. • They necessarily simplify topics to suit the format. Bottom line: Probably one of the better “trusted” options on TikTok — but trusted isn’t the same as comprehensive or free of bias. 2. Gina Lucy DiVittorio (TikTok: @ThePocketReport) Why this one stands out: • DiVittorio is a creator focused on political commentary, engages with policy and underlying issues — not purely shouting headlines.  • Their background (Marquette alum) gives some extra context to their work. What you need to keep in mind: • The format still tends toward commentary, which carries more risk of bias or partial framing than pure “news reporting.” • As with all TikTok political creators, algorithmic echo-chambers can influence what you see.  Bottom line: A decent follow, especially if you enjoy a creator-voice and commentary style. But not a stand-in for primary documents or in-depth investigative reporting. ⸻ ⚠️ Big caveats and risks • Nearly 84% of TikTok “news influencers” have no background in a news organization.  • TikTok is measured to create echo-chambers: users tend to follow accounts that match their existing beliefs.  • Political content is often less trusted when delivered via TikTok compared to other platforms.  • The short-form format inherently limits context, nuance, sourcing and the ability to dig beneath the surface.  ⸻ 🔍 My advisor recommendation for you Since you’ve asked for trustworthy accounts, lean into these ones but adopt this strategy: 1. Use them as leads, not your only source. When a creator references a new story, go deeper by checking a more traditional news outlet to verify context, data, sourcing. 2. Diversify your feed. Don’t follow only creators who match your worldview — you’ll lock into an echo chamber, especially on TikTok. 3. Develop a “trust check” habit: • Who produced the info? • Are sources cited? • Is the story simplified for shock/virality or is it substantiated? • Does it align with what you know from major outlets? 4. Don’t rely solely on TikTok for political news. As you’ve seen earlier, TikTok’s entertainment element dominates — politics is secondary for many users.  5. Set boundaries. Because you already lift weights, ride bikes, run camping trips — you don’t need to let every viral political clip distract you. Use TikTok creators as one input among many, not your full diet. ⸻ If you like, I can scan a list of 10-15 TikTok accounts focused on U.S. politics, flag their leanings, highlight how “trustworthy” each is on a spectrum, and you can pick 2-3 to follow with your criteria. Do you want me to pull that together?