Answer Details

Here are three TikTok accounts in the U.S. that stand out for political/news-related content and can be considered reasonably trustworthy — along with caveats and how to evaluate them yourself. Because TikTok is still evolving as a news medium, “trustworthy” doesn’t mean flawless — just relatively higher in credibility and transparency. 1. V Spehar (account: @UnderTheDeskNews) 6 Why this one stands out: They are an independent journalist who created the TikTok account “Under The Desk News”. Wikipedia +2 underthedesknews.com +2 Their bio and public profile emphasize news recaps for younger audiences (“daily recaps of headlines on TikTok”). underthedesknews.com +1 Recognized in media as a “news influencer” on TikTok. The Wall Street Journal Important caveats: As with many TikTok creators, the format is short and stylised — so nuance is sometimes lost. They still function as a “news influencer” rather than a full newsroom; the depth of sourcing and editorial process may differ from legacy outlets. Always good to cross-check major claims they make by looking for tags or linked sources. 2. Dave Jorgenson / The Washington Post TikTok channel 6 Why this one stands out: Dave Jorgenson launched the Washington Post’s TikTok presence and helped bring serious newsroom credentials to the platform. Wikipedia The account is tied to a major legacy news institution, which carries its own standards, corrections processes and accountability mechanisms. Using a TikTok channel from a major newspaper gives a good balance between short-form video format and traditional journalism infrastructure. Important caveats: The TikTok format means content is necessarily condensed; for full understanding you may still want to go to the article or deeper coverage. The tone is somewhat informal and “for TikTok” — so it may emphasise hook / engagement rather than full depth. As always: check that individual posts link to sources or context, especially on controversial topics. 3. G. L. DiVittorio (account: @ThePocketReport) 6 Why this one stands out: DiVittorio’s “The Pocket Report” started as a commentary/political-news sketch style series; they explicitly aim to “look at underlying policies, how something is being funded and the historical significance behind it.” Wikipedia Their presence shows that TikTok is not just for headline recaps but can offer commentary and policy insight (though in a short-form style). Important caveats: This account blends commentary + news; so you should recognise opinion is more present. It’s less tied to a full newsroom and more to an independent creator; you may need to verify specific claims externally. Good for engaging younger audiences, but the underlying editorial guardrails may differ from full editorial newsrooms. How to evaluate “trustworthy” TikTok political/news accounts Given the nature of TikTok and political content, here are some evaluation criteria I recommend: Source identification: Does the creator mention sources, link out (in profile or caption) to deeper reporting? Transparency: Is there clarity about who is posting, their background, potential biases or affiliations? Corrections / accountability: If a claim is wrong, do they correct it in some visible way? Balance / context: Especially for political coverage, are multiple sides considered, or is it one-sided framing? Editorial standard: If tied to a newsroom or institution, what standards or guidance do they follow? Format awareness: Recognise that TikTok’s format is short, viral-friendly — so simplification is inherent. Use it as one part of news consumption, not the whole. Also, recent research shows caution is warranted on the platform: for example, a study found the platform’s algorithm gave asymmetries in political recommendation patterns during the 2024 U.S. election. arXiv +1 And many users get news indirectly via algorithmic feeds rather than explicitly choosing reputable news accounts. Pew Research Center +1 If you like, I can compile a longer list (5-10) of TikTok accounts that are well-regarded across the political spectrum (including conservative, independent, etc) with notes on their strengths/weaknesses. Would you like that?