Media News Daily: Top Stories for 09/29/2025

TikTok Becomes a Primary News Source for Young Americans

A new Pew Research Center study reveals that TikTok is becoming an increasingly central platform for news consumption in the U.S., particularly among younger audiences. As of August 2025, 20% of American adults now regularly get their news from TikTok, a significant rise from just 3% in 2020. The trend is especially pronounced among adults under 30, with 43% reporting regular news usage via TikTok—up from 9% in 2020. Over half of U.S. adult TikTok users report consuming news content on the app. The report coincides with President Trump’s executive order approving a restructuring deal to keep TikTok operational in the U.S. under a domestic entity, citing national security concerns. (Read More) (The Hill Rating)

Newsweek Launches Visual Redesign and New Brand Identity

Newsweek has unveiled a new brand identity under the tagline “A World Drawn Closer,” developed with global design firm 2×4. The redesign introduces a refined wordmark, a bold “N” icon, and a color palette emphasizing black, white, and the signature Newsweek Red. The overhaul aims to align all platforms—print, digital, video, and newsletters—through a cohesive visual and editorial strategy focused on clarity, trust, and global connection. CEO Dev Pragad described the redesign as a strategic evolution reflective of Newsweek’s legacy and modern role. (Read More) (MediaPost Rating)

Threads Reportedly Surpasses X in Daily Active Users, But Data Raises Questions

According to data from analytics firm Similarweb, Threads may now be matching or even surpassing X (formerly Twitter) in daily active users. The estimates indicate Threads is gaining traction, especially as X continues to see declining engagement. However, the findings are based on extrapolated data and not definitive counts, which highlights potential inconsistencies, especially when comparing mobile versus web usage. Meta reports 400 million monthly active users on Threads, while X claims 600 million, though those figures have been contested. Despite the data caveats, the trend suggests Meta’s Threads is steadily rising as a competitive real-time social media platform. (Read More) (Social Media Today Rating)