Monetising misinformation: How clickbait, algorithms, and influencers are reshaping citizen journalism in South Africa

The rapid expansion of digital communication technologies has transformed citizen journalism by enabling broader public participation in news production and dissemination. While these developments have democratized access to information, they have also contributed to the spread of misinformation, clickbait, and engagement-driven communication practices. This study examines how clickbait, algorithms, and influencers are reshaping citizen journalism and contributing to the monetization of misinformation within contemporary digital media environments. Guided by Networked Journalism Theory, the Political Economy of Media, and contemporary gatekeeping perspectives, the study employed a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-guided systematic literature review of scholarly publications published between 2021 and 2026. Twenty-three peer-reviewed studies were identified, screened, and synthesized through thematic analysis. The findings indicate that platform capitalism and the attention economy have transformed audience attention into a monetizable commodity, creating incentives for content that prioritizes visibility and engagement. Algorithmic recommendation systems further amplify these dynamics by increasing exposure to highly engaging content, including misinformation. The review also reveals that influencers increasingly function as alternative information authorities, shaping audience trust, perceptions, and information consumption patterns. Consequently, citizen journalism now operates within platformised environments where economic incentives, algorithmic visibility, and social influence significantly affect information production and circulation. The study concludes that misinformation is not merely a communicative failure but a structural outcome of digital systems that reward engagement and visibility. The findings contribute to debates on information integrity, platform governance, and democratic communication, particularly within the South African context. Key words: Citizen journalism, misinformation, platform capitalism, algorithms, influencers, attention economy, information integrity, South Africa.