CNO is now on TikTok!

You know what really gets on my nerves — besides the whole we’re-all-gonna-die-from-global-warming feeling? Being judged for learning about my community and the world from TikTok.

“But TikTok is filled with misinformation and backed by a foreign power!”

To that I say: More than 55 per cent of Canada’s top new publishers already have a TikTok account and publish content regularly.

Canada’s National Observer has now joined these ranks. We officially have a TikTok presence, led by me!

Of course, misinformers are out there on the platform (like every platform), but it's better to combat falsehoods with journalism produced by credible reporters and fact-checked by editors.

As a Zillennial journalist and self-professed TikTok girlie, you can imagine my excitement when I was assigned to launch Canada’s National Observer’s very own TikTok account just a few weeks ago. I now get to bring my love for content creation and news to work every day!

TikTok presents the opportunity to reach a younger audience. Despite Boomer rumours of Gen Z being uninterested in news and politics, young people care deeply about climate change and politics and are a key faction at the forefront of the climate fight.

I understand the ways newer generations consume news.

In the last year, Meta banned news on its platforms due to the Online News Act, and there has been an explosion of misinformation and fake accounts on X.

But the role of TikTok as a news-sharing platform is also rising. In Canada, the numbers tell a story. Last year, 20 per cent of 18- to 34-year-old Canadians said they got their news from TikTok.

By establishing CNO’s presence on TikTok, I am meeting young readers where they are. The video platform pushes me to think outside traditional storytelling boundaries. It allows me to experiment and convey news in a visually engaging and concise manner. Through these dynamic short stories, I provide quick updates and insights on important Canadian climate issues like carbon taxes and the energy transition.

From breaking news to in-depth features, we can bring CNO reporting to life in a way that resonates with a whole spectrum of new viewers. This inclusivity is vital to ensure our journalism remains relevant and reflective of the diverse voices and experiences in our country.

If you’ve read this far and not clicked and followed us on our TikTok page yet, I implore you to do so now! (Don’t worry, I’ll be here when you’re done.)

This holiday season, I’m asking people like you to back CNO financially and help ensure we can continue innovating the news for years to come. It really is thanks to the people who subscribe and donate to us that we can expand our audience and bring more folks into the climate conversation. If you have the means, please show your support for independent Canadian multimedia journalism with a donation today.

Thank you for being a part of our community, and we can't wait to connect with you in this exciting new space.

Zahra Khozema

Associate Producer