Sophie Ströbitzer: Pioneering Journalistic Innovation on TikTok and Instagram
The evolving landscape of news consumption is increasingly shaped by social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Journalist Sophie Ströbitzer is at the forefront of this shift, leveraging these platforms to deliver news to a younger audience. Her work with the “Zeit im Bild” (ZIB) team exemplifies the challenges and opportunities of modern journalism.
Early Career and Educational Background
Sophie Ströbitzer currently works within the social media team at “Zeit im Bild.” Since August 2025, she has been moderating the ZIB content on TikTok and Instagram.
Her journalistic journey began with studies in Journalism and Media Management at the FHWien der WKW. During her studies, Ströbitzer gained practical experience as an editor for the German-language edition of Forbes, where she also moderated events like the “Women Summit” and “Under 30 Summit.” She later pursued a Master’s degree in International Development at the University of Vienna, contributing to university magazines and freelancing for publications such as “Profil.”
Transition to TikTok and the ZIB
Ströbitzer joined the ORF-Newsroom’s social media team, eventually taking on the role of host for the ZIB’s TikTok channel alongside Idan Hanin. This move came as Ambra Schuster transitioned to a Fulbright Scholarship at the City University of New York, pursuing a Master’s program in Engagement Journalism.
Schuster and Hanin had previously built the ZIB’s TikTok channel into the country’s most successful news offering on the platform, amassing over 615,000 followers, primarily young people, who regularly receive verified news content.
Challenges and Future of News on Social Media
Ströbitzer expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating her long-time engagement with the ZIB TikTok account and her desire to deliver news to young audiences in an accessible manner. The ZIB TikTok channel has also faced challenges, including the discovery of bot networks generating hate comments.
As the media landscape continues to evolve, Ströbitzer’s work highlights the importance of adapting journalistic practices to meet audiences where they are – on platforms like TikTok and Instagram – while maintaining the integrity and reliability of news reporting.