1. Vertical video, horizontal power: the new shape of breaking news
Table of contents
Shortform video is rapidly transforming journalism and news consumption. Notably, TikTok has become a core channel for breaking news, shaped by mobile-native, vertical content formats. By moving where audiences are consuming news, vertical video is redefining how stories get told. In this report, we explore how the platform's unique dynamics are reshaping journalistic practices and creating space for new voices.
For the full report, fill in the form at the bottom of the page.
When we look at where X users report receiving their news, TikTok now leads amongst all social platforms in growth as a news source. (Mentions of X are excluded from the above chart, to accommodate the dynamics of how users talk about a platform on said platform.) This is revolutionising news discovery through short-form video. The rise of TikTok journalism marks a shift from traditional newsroom dominance to creator-driven storytelling.
The new gatekeepers are creators, not corporations
Search and social conversations around "TikTok journalism" are surging. From Jonathan M. Katz's Biden interview to viral commentary clips, the platform is no longer on the fringe—it's central to how younger audiences engage with current events.
Citizen journalists report or comment on current events without working for a formal news organisation. The platform's low entry barrier and For You Page mechanics empower grassroots reporting on a global scale. Independent social media creators routinely outperform established news brands, due to TikTok's algorithm—and audiences—favouring emotional resonance, relatability, and native fluency over institutional trust. Of mainstream news outlets and citizen journalists mentioned in the TikTok Journalism conversation, 79% are individuals without institutional affiliations.
But traditional publishers aren't locked out. Outlets like CNN, Daily Mail and NBC are gaining traction by embracing TikTok-native formats. By using informal storytelling, creator mimicry, and direct engagement, they find much more traction than simply repurposing broadcast content.
Politics equals performance
Political coverage on TikTok understandably exploded during the 2024 US and UK elections. But the stories that resonate differ dramatically from mainstream media’s output.
While legacy outlets spotlight debates and legal sagas, TikTok audiences engage more with narrative-driven, personality-led content—from Gen Z influencers analysing policies to Swiftie commentary on endorsements. TikTok is a stage where politics becomes personal, memeable, and participatory.
Here creators provide real-time commentary and reactions, news about rapidly-evolving trends and subcultures and break-downs of complex topics in accessible, visual formats. These particular areas favour the reaction speed that citizen creators can offer more effectively than traditional outlets.
Breaking news on portrait mode: the full report
TikTok is more than a social app. It’s a journalistic frontier. In the full report, we unpack what defines TikTok’s role in the news cycle.
Download the full report to learn how:
- News is becoming entertainment, with TikTok-native creators becoming influential voices through humour, personal branding, and scroll-stopping format
- Citizen journalism leads TikTok’s news output, building trust through authenticity rather than institutional authority
- Mainstream outlets can succeed by adapting to platform dynamics — especially by embracing informal tones, regional relevance, and participatory storytelling
To read the full report, fill out the form below.
