The Documentary Podcast The Fifth Floor: Ukraine, the war and TikTok
May 17, 2025
Zhenya Shidlovska from the BBC Ukrainian social media team brings a fresh perspective on delivering news through TikTok amid the war in Ukraine. She discusses how Ukrainian soldiers and civilians share their daily experiences with humor and relatability, adapting traditional news formats for younger audiences. The podcast also touches on the resilience shown through uplifting content and personal stories, illustrating how humor plays a vital role in coping with the challenges of conflict. Plus, surprising insights into trending memes and lighter narratives emerge.
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Launching TikTok Amid War
- BBC Ukrainian launched its TikTok channel during the early, difficult days of the Russian invasion in March 2022.
- They started from zero followers and now have 500,000 followers with some videos reaching millions of views.
Adapting Style for TikTok
- TikTok presenting style is very different from traditional TV news presentation.
- Using a friendly tone and answering questions like talking to friends resonates more with younger audiences while maintaining impartiality.
War on Social Media and Humor
- War is integrated into everyday life and social media in Ukraine, showing everything from attacks to life in occupied territories.
- Ukrainians use humor and memes on social media as a coping mechanism and a way to express frustration creatively.