Social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are increasingly becoming popular sources for news consumption. However, many users are expressing growing concerns over misinformation and unreliable content cluttering their feeds. Trust in news outlets, including traditional ones, has dwindled; a recent Pew Research study revealed that merely 56% of American adults trust national news media to some extent.
To address these issues, a new short-form video app named SaySo has been launched, catering specifically to the need for curated news from verified creators and independent journalists. Initially available for iOS users in the U.S. and Canada, SaySo aims to distinguish itself by providing a more structured and personalized news experience, minimising endless scrolling typical of other platforms.
One of its key features, called Daily Digest, allows users to select topics of interest—ranging from politics to public health—upon profile creation. The app then delivers a fresh set of curated videos every 20 hours, ensuring users receive relevant content. Additionally, an Explore page enables users to discover a broader array of topics and creators, while other social features such as following, liking, saving, commenting, and sharing are also included.
SaySo places a strong emphasis on accountability by requiring creators to cite sources within their videos, which aims to enhance user trust. The platform uses a combination of human moderators and AI technology to ensure the integrity of its content. Dion Bailey, co-founder and CTO, stated that content undergoes a moderation process before publication to catch and rectify issues proactively. Should anything inappropriate make it through, the team investigates and addresses it swiftly.
In an effort to foster community engagement, SaySo plans to introduce a community notes feature that invites users to partake in a crowdsourced fact-checking initiative akin to those seen on X and TikTok. At launch, approximately 30 creators joined SaySo, including notable figures like Nico Agosta, who investigates U.S. congressional finances, and Dr. Victoria, who addresses racial justice and social issues.
Regarding creator compensation, Ramin Beheshti, CEO and co-founder of SaySo, revealed that many initial creators are participating as founding partners with stipends from the onset. The platform aims to establish a monetisation framework that directs the majority of generated revenue back to creators, although specifics have yet to be disclosed.
SaySo is the flagship offering from Caliber, formerly The News Movement, which pivoted to short-form journalism in 2025. Beheshti asserts that the goal is to create a news product that alleviates the information overload many users experience. The company plans to launch SaySo in the U.K. by the summer and expand further in 2027, hoping to redefine the landscape of modern news consumption.
Fanpage: TechArena.au
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