News 14 southern correspondent Ariel Idan said on Sunday that he has surpassed one million followers across TikTok, Instagram and Telegram, a milestone he described in an Instagram post as hard to believe. In a special interview with C14, he gave a behind-the-scenes look at his work and explained why so many people follow him.
Idan said it took about three and a half years from the time he opened his social accounts to reach the first million. He added that the next million will be harder because much of the potential audience has already been reached, but said he hopes to reach two million within another three to four years. He said the large audience obligates him to be “faster, more reliable and more accurate,” and reminds him that every word matters, “for better or worse.”
Asked which platform he prefers, Idan said TikTok is his favorite because it can reach huge audiences, including people who do not follow him directly, and because he likes its algorithm best. He said his online philosophy is to deliver the news immediately, with as little filtering as possible, while providing as many details and field recordings as he can.
Idan also advised aspiring journalists and content creators to stay consistent and not give up, saying he keeps filming and reporting late at night, during family events, and even while traveling or on vacation. In his post, he thanked his followers for their trust, support and encouragement, and promised to keep bringing news from the field, telling important stories and serving as “the voice of many of you in the media.” The article also noted that about three months ago, he won first place in a poll by radio and television host Menachem Toker, receiving 1,800 votes and defeating well-known journalists by a wide margin.
