THE 14TH ANNUAL SHORTY AWARDS

The Shorty Awards honor the best of social media and digital. View this season's finalists!

Special Project

Special Project
From the 17th Annual Shorty Awards

V Spehar

Winner in News Creator of the Year

Objectives

In a world where the news can feel like doomscrolling with a side of dread, V Spehar has emerged as a much-needed voice of clarity, compassion, and calm. The award-winning digital journalist, TikTok powerhouse, and host of American Fever Dream didn’t just break into the news cycle—they flipped it on its head with UnderTheDeskNews, a platform built to make current events feel human, understandable, and safe to engage with. With over 4 million followers across platforms, V has become the go-to news source for a generation that values facts and feelings. Whether they’re breaking down policy shifts, spotlighting community stories, or calmly decoding chaotic headlines, V’s short-form explainers deliver the day’s biggest news without the panic—and always from a place of empathy.

Their impact is undeniable: one-on-one interviews with Vice President Kamala Harris, President Biden, President Obama, and top U.S. officials; official digital streamer for the 2024 DNC; correspondent for the Paris Olympics with TikTok; plus collaborations with NBC News, the LA Times, and the Washington Post. That’s not just content creation—it’s journalism at the highest level.

A Webby Special Achievement winner, GLAAD Media Award finalist, MediaWise Ambassador, and RISE25 honoree—V is recognized across the industry for raising the standard of digital news. And with a hit podcast, a growing Substack, and a debut book on the way from Zando Publishing in 2026, they’re just getting started.

Media