Short-form video is no longer just an optional extra. It’s fast becoming a primary way people consume news. That’s pushed many legacy newsrooms to rethink their video strategies and inspired a wave of independent, personality-led news creators. So, if you’ve written a text piece and you’re wondering how to adapt it for Instagram or TikTok, here’s a simple, beginner-friendly guide to get you started.

I’ll never forget the day when an editor at the BBC told a 25-year-old me that journalists shouldn’t be on TikTok because “there’s so much misinformation on there.” By that point, I had maybe 10,000 followers on the platform, possibly more, and the comment stung. My TikToks, which had amplified my journalism as well as my passion for learning new languages, were well researched and the opposite of misinformation. So, what’s my solution? A tool in your pocket that can help you