How TikTok Is Becoming A Fast-Growing Platform For News Consumption - Reuters

News enthusiasts are turning to TikTok to discuss, document, and share world events, creating a new path for media consumption, Reuters reports.

The Rise of TikTok News: Creators like Vitus “V” Spehar, whose “Under the Desk News” TikTok account has nearly 3 million followers, are using the platform to provide a unique take on daily news. These creators, who do not aspire to be traditional journalists, are resonating with millions of young followers who are unlikely to consume news through traditional media outlets.

Authenticity and Connection: These news creators are united by a desire to discuss world events in an authentic way. Some engage directly with their audience in the comments section of their videos, while others openly express their viewpoints. For example, Josh Helfgott, a TikTok user with 5.5 million followers, posts a recurring series of videos called "Gay News" discussing current events relevant to LGBTQ viewers.

Impact on Traditional Media: As traditional news media face a crisis with stagnating traffic and declining readers and viewers, TikTok is becoming the fastest-growing social media platform for news. According to a report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, 20% of 18-to-24-year-olds use TikTok to learn about current events, a 5 percentage point increase from last year.

New Business Model: Lisa Remillard, a 20-year veteran of broadcast journalism, hopes to leverage this growth to develop a new business model that could help independent journalists earn a living on TikTok and other social media platforms. She founded BEONDTV, a lifestyle and entertainment digital media company, and has been using TikTok to walk her 2.5 million followers through the biggest national news each day.

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