The Story

On some platforms, influencers are outranking journalists for news.

Explain.

Mainstream journalists are still driving news convos on legacy social media sites, like Twitter and Facebook, according to a new report.But it’s a different story on younger-skewing platforms, like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok (which, surprise surprise, is the fastest-growing network). There, influencers, celebrities, and personalities are stitching together news content.

That doesn’t seem great.

We’ll find out. For years, there’s been notification after notification about the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media, especially around elections. After being in the ring light, err, spotlight, many said they’d try to ’do better.’ That might explain why some say misinformation had less of an impact in 2022 than in 2020. But there’s still reason to worry: Some sites have since scaled back those efforts. Not to mention, Gen Z is the fastest-growing part of the electorate. Plus, apps like TikTok have a bad track record outside of politics. See: Berberine, tart cherry juice, and all the other misinformed health tricks, tips, and trends that have gotten the mini mic.At a time when Americans have apparently become even less confident in science.

theSkimm

Social media users often rely on influencers for what to buy and try. Now, they’re apparently using TikTok as a dupe for mainstream news outlets.