If you had to guess, how many political ads would you say you watch on TikTok on any given day? If you know that TikTok doesn't allow paid political content, you might be tempted to say zero. But you would be wrong. You would be very, very, wrong.  TikTok doesn't allow political ads in the same way that some companies give you unlimited PTO. It's technically true. But a closer look reveals suspect ethical practices at best. So it’s no secret that a bunch of TikTok influencers are visiting the White House with great frequency. In fact, most of these influencers have been at least somewhat transparent about that fact. It seems like every other day someone on this app is being accused of for a corporation or a political party. I myself have been accused of this many times a few weeks ago. I was asked how much did they pay me when I made a video announcing that I would be removing myself as the soul moderator of a celebrity blacklist.  --- Now influencers can push back and claim that access has not in any way influenced their reporting. And that very well may be true. That seems like a metric impossible to quantify so I would gladly take them at their word. But is that where we want to be? Simply trusting that all political influencers with special access to a powerful administration will simply rise maneuver through the very real conflicts of interest? Are we to accept that building your brand on political access as perhaps a journalist would, but without any journalistic integrity or ethical saftey rails, won't end in prioritizing the gravy train over one's truth? Are we just going on vibes here? --- Why use journalists when you can use influencers? Influencers are uncomplicated. They follow no established code of ethics. Most influencers make content without ever seeing a penny for their efforts. And the lucky few influencers who can make a living off this craft are in constant danger of it all collapsing, they are prisoner to the algorithm to our attention and admiration, and to whatever access they are granted.  Influencers have no constitutional obligation to report on the truth or be transparent about their methods and operation. Influencers can and will except free trips anywhere. That's kind of their whole thing.  Journalist report to independent news organizations. Those organizations do not answer to the government in anyway the government doesn't have influence and how many new shelves in article hits on any given day. --- ## Conclusion Who am I to lay judgement on someone earning money by expressing political opinions they would've otherwise given away for free? Especially if that person is barely able to pay their rent each month? I'm no one. And you're right. You mayve noticed that I haven't mentioned a single influencer's name. That's because, with very little exception, I don't think political influencers are the real story here. For most of us, content creation is, at best, a supplemental revenue stream that flows at the pleasure of an algorithm we don't control. As you now see, there is literal millions of dollars in the social media political influencer space, yet I don't know any millionaire political influencers. Sure a handful are doing all right. Especially the ones who prioritize access above all else. But most are the last to be paid. If they're paid at all.