Where Do You Get Your News?
There was a time when America trusted local and national news anchors to inform them about what mattered in the world: Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, Ron Stone, Dave Ward, and more. You’d pour a cup of coffee, settle into the recliner, and wait for the familiar theme music at 10 pm before hearing the day’s events. The news was an appointment, a ritual, and for many families, it was a time to be together at the end of the day.
Fast-forward to today, and the ritual bears little resemblance to its former self. According to a new Pew Research Center study, 1 out of 5 (20%) U.S. adults now regularly get their news on TikTok. A platform better known for dance trends and quick comedy bits than hard headlines. In 2020, only 3% of adults said the same.
The generational shift is even sharper. Nearly 50% of adults under 30 say they regularly get news there, compared to just 9% five years ago. Even those in their 30s and 40s are joining in, with 25% now relying on TikTok for news updates.
It’s not the steady voice of Cronkite signing off with “And that’s the way it is.” Instead, it’s a 30-second clip sandwiched between cooking hacks and sports highlights. It’s fast, visual, and built for scrolling, news that fits the rhythm of a smartphone.
The way we consume information has changed, but the core need hasn’t. Americans still want stories, still want truth, still want connection. Only now, instead of turning on the TV at 10, we open an app and start swiping.
Doug O’Brien
