On Feb. 6, new media journalist and podcaster V Spehar visited the Lehigh Valley and spoke at Lehigh University’s third and final Compelling Perspectives talk of the academic year. Spehar runs TikTok and Instagram accounts under the handle @underthedesknews.
This is the second iteration of the Compelling Perspectives program, which aims to provide a space for respectful dialogue on key societal issues. This year, the program’s theme is, “The Role of Media in Contemporary Society.”
The discussion was moderated by Lehigh University’s President, Joseph J. Helble. At the end of the discussion, attendees were invited to ask Spehar questions.
Spehar first gained popularity from a viral video that sparked the handle name @underthedesknews. The video was shot under Spehar’s desk on Jan. 6, 2021, during the pandemic, when a group of citizens stormed the U.S. capitol.
In the video, Spehar comedically explained the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which allows for the vice president and the majority of the executive cabinet to declare that the president is unable to serve. They were advocating for then-Vice President Mike Pence to enact it on President Trump after the riot at the Capitol.
After that video went viral, Spehar continued to create similar content, including one-minute videos that delivered important news, all while sitting underneath their desk.
“My friend Randy was like, ‘You better get back under that desk and tell people what’s going on now,’” Spehar recalled. “And it’s been four years.”
The conversation with Helble began with Spehar explaining how they became involved in journalism, despite having a degree in theater and working in the food industry.
Spehar said they began catering for politicians and political events such as the Clintons and the 2012 Republican National Convention. This immersed them in the world and jargon of politics as they observed the politicians within their homes and events behind closed doors.
“You get to see politicians as their most stripped-down version of themselves,” Spehar said.
They were then able to learn about the terminology and inner workings of politics and politicians, which was helpful as they grew in popularity on TikTok.
The food industry wasn’t where their experiences with politicians stopped, however. Spehar went on to talk about how their platform eventually led them to be invited to former President Joe Biden’s White House the first of numerous positive experiences with Biden.
Spehar recalled how Biden had allowed them to go under the Resolute desk as Biden struck a silly pose. They then said how they had an intimate moment with Biden where the two reflected on his late son Beau, during which the former president teared up.
Spehar reflected on a variety of positive experiences they had, as both a caterer and a journalist, with politicians on both sides of the aisle. However, Spehar recounted an unpleasant story about former Democratic House Majority Leader and current congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, who spit out her food into a napkin in Spehar’s hand.
Spehar explained that during the pandemic, they had more time to learn how to use different features on TikTok, which helped improve their content. However, it took them a few years to realize that they could build a career off their viral account.
Spehar also discussed the differences between new and old media and the struggle they felt in calling themselves a journalist. They explained that old media networks have attempted to discredit non-traditional news sources, which has led to them being referred to as a “newsfluencer.”
Spehar shared their distaste for the phrase and said they feel that it unnecessarily divides journalists on different platforms.
“I get people when they’re in the bathroom, one hour before bed, or when they’re on a break, and I know that,” Spehar said. “It’s not competition, it’s complimentary screens.”
Spehar also discussed how new media journalists are stiff-armed by traditional organizations, such as the White House Correspondence Association, which bared any new media journalists from being in the White House Press Room until the new Trump Administration. This addition, Spehar pointed out, is a double-edged sword, as new media journalists are technically only guests to the White House press secretary, not an official part of the WHCA.
The discussion pivoted to the difference between disinformation and misinformation. Spehar explained that misinformation is when a reporter makes a mistake and attempts to rectify it, while disinformation is the intentional misuse or manipulation of information.
Spehar said that it is important for consumers to be critical of information and continue to fact-check it, especially with the ease with which anyone can share a video with potentially misleading information. Spehar also said that they often consume news from international sites to help avoid bias and get a more well-rounded view.
During uncertain times and with the potential of another TikTok ban, Spehar said that journalism and journalists are under more pressure to be factually accurate. They also shared some advice for future journalists, explaining that marginalized communities are still being underrepresented.
Spehar said it is important to foster human relationships and stay connected with your community.
