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Trustworthiness in U.S. political news on TikTok is often subjective and debated, as the platform is dominated by individual influencers and partisan "hype houses" rather than traditional, highly-rated news organizations. Major, highly-rated news organizations for trustworthiness (such as the Associated Press and Reuters) maintain a presence on social media platforms, including TikTok, but their content competes with that of independent creators, many of whom have large followings but may lack traditional journalistic standards or have explicit partisan leanings. Reputable News Organizations' Accounts For a higher degree of journalistic integrity, it is recommended to follow the official accounts of established news organizations. These sources generally adhere to a code of ethics that emphasizes accuracy and impartiality, even on a platform designed for short-form video. The Associated Press (@apnews): A non-profit cooperative news agency known for its unbiased, fact-based reporting. Reuters (@reuters): An international news organization widely regarded for its reliable and neutral coverage. BBC News (@bbcnews): The British public service broadcaster, generally considered trustworthy by a majority of U.S. political affiliations. The Wall Street Journal (@wsj): Known for its fair and accurate reporting, particularly on business and economic news, but also covers general politics. Popular Independent Creators Several independent creators have built large followings by explaining or commenting on political news. Viewers should be aware that these accounts are often personality-driven and may have a clear ideological perspective or focus more on engagement than strict impartiality. Vitus Spehar (@underthedesknews): Presents news in a direct, conversational style and has a large following. Ben Sheehan (found on Instagram/TikTok): Known for simplifying government and political processes for Gen Z audiences. Dean Withers (e.g., @deanwithers_): A liberal political commentator known for live-streamed debates. "Both Sides News" (e.g., @bothsidesnews): An account that attempts to present arguments from multiple viewpoints, though the creator acknowledges they are only human and may make mistakes. Key Considerations Bias is prevalent: Political content on TikTok is heavily influenced by creators with specific leanings (left-leaning and right-leaning influencers are both well-represented). Algorithm impact: The TikTok algorithm tends to show users more content aligned with their existing interests and interactions, which can create an echo chamber. Verification is crucial: Due to the fast-paced, "face value" nature of news on TikTok, it is vital to use these accounts as a starting point and cross-reference information with other established sources. For the most trustworthy information, users are encouraged to rely on official accounts from reputable news organizations.