How the TikTok ban in the US could silence Gen Z’s newsrooms

A potential TikTok ban in the US could reshape how Gen Z consumes news, disrupt innovative journalism, and silence underrepresented voices in the digital community.

The countdown to 19 January has begun, and with it, TikTok faces its most significant existential threat yet. The Biden administration has set the deadline for the app to comply with demands to address concerns about data security and its ties to China. Specifically, the government is asking TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and implement stricter measures to safeguard US user data from potential foreign surveillance. If TikTok does not meet these demands, the platform could face an outright ban, a move that would reverberate across digital media landscapes and reshape how Gen Z consumes information.

At the heart of this debate lies what experts have termed "platform ambivalence," coined by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Many people rely on platforms like TikTok for news about politics, appreciating the accessibility and engagement they bring to complex topics. Yet, these users also remain skeptical, harboring concerns about misinformation, bias, privacy, freedom of expression, and the overarching power of tech giants. This duality of reliance and distrust is a defining characteristic of modern digital media use and further complicates the decision of whether platforms like TikTok should be trusted or heavily regulated.

For millions of Gen Z users, TikTok has become a gateway to news. The app's algorithm serves hyper-personalised content and has reshaped how young people consume information. Unlike traditional platforms, TikTok delivers bite-sized videos layered with commentary, visuals, and emotion, making complex issues – from the war in Ukraine to climate change – digestible and engaging. According to the Pew Research Center, 39 per cent of US adults under 30 use TikTok as a news source. Without it, younger audiences could be forced to migrate to platforms like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, which lack TikTok’s unique algorithmic magic.

The lessons from India

This would not be the first time a government pulled the plug on TikTok. In 2020, India banned the app outright, citing national security concerns. The aftermath was chaotic. Homegrown alternatives like Josh, Moj, and Chingari rushed to fill the void, carving out their niches in a fragmented digital landscape. However, these platforms struggled to replicate TikTok’s global reach and cultural exchange. Content became more insular, with creators catering primarily to domestic audiences.

But TikTok's role in India then was fundamentally different from what it represents in the US today. In 2020, the app was predominantly a space for entertainment. Now, TikTok is a critical player in news dissemination, civic discourse, and activism. A ban in the US would fracture a well-established ecosystem where creators and journalists reach audiences directly.

A new era of reporting

For journalists, TikTok is not just a platform – it is a storytelling laboratory. Reporters use the app to experiment with formats, blending humor and visuals to make news accessible. Independent creators break down complex issues, building personal brands as trusted sources for their followers.

Major outlets like The Washington Post have tapped into TikTok's potential, amassing millions of followers by combining acted sketches’ humor with serious reporting. Similarly, NBC News has leveraged TikTok to cover breaking stories and explain complex topics, like the US debt ceiling debate or Supreme Court rulings, in a way that resonates with younger viewers.

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The U.S. is just days away from an estimated X-date. Here’s what would happen if the country hits the debt ceiling.

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DW News has also found an audience on the platform by creating snackable vertical explainers on political topics like the US elections or the German government crisis. These concise and visually engaging videos help distill complicated issues into digestible formats, making global politics accessible and relatable to TikTok’s Gen Z-dominated audience.

DW has significantly expanded its reach by leveraging TikTok to deliver accessible, engaging news across many languages since 2020. This aligns perfectly with its goal of reaching broader audiences, especially younger demographics who might not engage with traditional news formats. For instance, DW's multilingual approach on TikTok has fostered unique connections with audiences worldwide, offering concise videos on complex issues ranging from political topics to cultural matters. These efforts rank among the most-watched social media platforms internally. This success underlines TikTok's value as a critical tool in audience development.

A potential ban could challenge DW’s ability to maintain its innovative storytelling for a US audience on a platform where it is carved out a unique presence. However, DW has a cross-platform strategy and is well-positioned to adapt its TikTok-learned storytelling to other platforms. While the US audience could become fragmented, DW would continue to focus on its other audiences, target regions, and languages and address the US audience elsewhere. As a news outlet committed to inclusivity, DW would also feel the impact on its mission to represent underreported voices. TikTok has democratised access to information for marginalised groups – a function vital to DW’s mission.

@dwnews

In Argentina, a left-wing provincial governor has introduced a new emergency tender called "chachos" due to the economic policies of far-right President Javier Milei. Will other provinces also follow the example and try to replace the national currency, the peso? #milei #argentina #pesos #currency #economy #news

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However without TikTok, this innovative approach to storytelling risks stagnating. Platforms like Instagram or YouTube lack the participatory culture that makes TikTok unique. This could force journalists to revert to more traditional methods, sacrificing the emotional resonance that younger audiences find compelling.

The Student Press Law Center has already documented how bans on university campuses in Texas have disrupted student journalism. TikTok’s removal from campus Wi-Fi forced student reporters to rely on less accessible mobile data or abandon the platform entirely, significantly hindering their ability to share content quickly and engage with peers. This disconnection not only stifled creativity but also limited their ability to adapt to new trends and effectively cover campus events.

Similarly, the Gateway Journalism Review highlighted how state-level restrictions have left student journalists scrambling for alternatives to connect with their audience. The report emphasised that TikTok’s absence affects the diversity of voices represented, as many students relied on the platform to amplify underreported stories. These restrictions, the review noted, resulted in fewer students participating in digital journalism and a decline in the visibility of student-led media.

In addition to challenges for young journalists, established newsrooms have also integrated TikTok into their workflows. Many outlets use the platform for live reporting, quick updates, and amplifying local stories that would otherwise struggle to gain traction. Losing TikTok would mean losing access to these tools, forcing traditional media to re-evaluate their strategies for reaching younger audiences.

The loss of a digital community

TikTok is not just a tool for content creation; it is a digital community. The app has democratised storytelling, amplifying voices from underrepresented groups. Indigenous creators document life on reservations, activists shed light on systemic inequalities, and marginalised communities find spaces to connect and share their stories. A ban would erase this unique meeting place, forcing these voices back into obscurity.

For Gen Z, TikTok represents something even deeper: a space where news feels personal and real. Unlike legacy platforms, TikTok fosters immediacy and intimacy, creating a sense of connection with the content. Losing this space would mean losing a vital arena for collective learning and cultural exchange.

Beyond storytelling, TikTok’s algorithm has been critical in promoting niche content, ensuring that lesser-known creators and regional stories reach global audiences. This feature has transformed TikTok into a hub for cultural exchange, allowing users to experience diverse perspectives and connect with issues that resonate globally. A ban could undo years of progress in making media more inclusive and representative.

The global domino effect

A US ban could set a global precedent. Countries like Canada, France, and Germany are already scrutinising TikTok’s data practices. If the US takes the lead, it could embolden other nations to follow suit, fragmenting the platform's global audience. For creators and journalists who rely on TikTok for international reach, this could be devastating.

The ripple effects of a ban would extend beyond individual creators or journalists. Entire industries that depend on TikTok for marketing, outreach, and audience engagement would need to rethink their strategies. From news organisations to nonprofits, TikTok’s absence would leave a significant gap in how information is shared and consumed.

TikTok's power lies in its ability to connect people to news and culture in ways that are relatable and interactive. A ban is not just about data privacy; it is about how stories are told and how audiences engage with information. With the 19 January deadline looming, the stakes are high. Losing TikTok would silence a vibrant digital community, disrupt innovative journalism, and reshape how Gen Z interacts with the world around them.

The platform has the potential to support journalism further – with measures like giving verified news sources exemption from algospeak (the coded language many creators use to avoid content moderation flags), strengthened privacy assurances, and improved support for media outlets through dedicated partnership managers – highlights its untapped ability to foster credible and high-quality news. The ripple effects of a ban would extend far beyond the US, marking the end of an era for one of the most transformative platforms in modern media.

Erika Marzano is an audience development manager at Deutsche Welle (DW) in Bonn, specialising in connecting newsrooms and journalists with their audiences through innovative social media strategies. She leads central platform management for TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) in audience development. She also serves as a social media journalism trainer, empowering journalists to navigate and leverage digital platforms effectively. Erika’s academic background, spanning modern languages, European and international studies, and journalism, informs her approach to creating impactful digital content and strategies.

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