With TikTok, becoming a journalist is easier than ever before, as long as you define “journalism” as just asking or telling a person something, filming it, and posting it online. Think you have what it takes? Then keep reading below for the four things you need to become a TikTok journalist that don’t include anything that resembles a journalistic code of ethics.
Confidence.
Since the people you’re interviewing don’t know you’re about to interview them, you’re going to need the confidence to interrupt people while they’re minding their business to ask them what their “type” is, because they’re not always going to be very welcoming. But with the right attitude, you’ll feel no remorse for recording strangers and getting clout from them in no time. So go ahead and get out there – you don’t need to go to school for this!
A wireless microphone.
A microphone that you can carry around and put in people’s faces is one of the most essential tools for TikTok reporting. Whether you’re going up and down stairs at the mall, walking around a public park, or stopping joggers on the sidewalk, a wireless mic is a must, especially when you need to pull the mic back to you so that your face is still in the video.
Questions.
Ask any questions at all. They don’t have to be good, well researched, or even appropriate. A simple question like “What’s your body count?” can be used over and over again, even though you might later be accused with sexual harassment. Alternatively, you could also ask “How much money do you make?”, “Can I see your house?”, or “What would you rate me out of 10?” This is the hard-hitting guerilla journalism we need, even if seems more like an early 2000s prank show. VICE who?!
Editing skills.
You’re gonna have to edit out all the times that someone ignored you, said something uninteresting, or cussed you out (unless it’s funny!), which means that you should have a good understanding of TikTok’s editing bay or another editing app. For more engagement, you can also add in hilarious reaction memes to show the viewer how exactly they’re supposed to be feeling when you publicly ask someone if they would ever go on a date with you.
And there you have it — all the things you need to be a “journalist” on TikTok, without an ethical code in sight! So have fun out there, and don’t listen to anyone who says that asking “How much can you bench press?” isn’t real reporting.
