From the Fourth Estate to the Fifth Estate: Interrogating the Influence of Artificial Intelligence in the Era of Citizen Journalism

Abstract

The press, historically celebrated as the Fourth Estate, has served as a watchdog of democracy, anchoring its authority on credibility and institutional gatekeeping. However, the rise of digital technologies has unsettled this order, giving rise to the Fifth Estate where citizen journalism thrives through participatory practices enabled by smartphones, social media, and digital platforms. This study interrogates the influence of AI on citizen journalism in Nigeria, highlighting how it reshapes journalistic practice, credibility, visibility, and inclusivity within the democratic space. The study was anchored on Agenda-Setting Theory and Produsage Theory. The study adopted a qualitative design, engaging 35 purposively selected citizen journalists, communication scholars and practitioners in Akwa Ibom State. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions and were analysed thematically. Findings revealed that AI has transformed citizen journalism by amplifying ordinary voices and redefining agenda-setting through algorithmic mediation. However, this transformation is accompanied by dilemmas of misinformation, sensationalism, opacity of algorithms, and digital inequalities that marginalise less technologically equipped populations. While AI offers prospects for verification, translation and inclusivity, its unchecked adoption risks undermining credibility and deepening inequalities. The study concludes that AI represents a double-edged sword in citizen journalism: it expands participation and visibility, yet simultaneously challenges journalistic integrity. The paper recommends continuous scholarly engagement, AI-driven verification tools, and policy frameworks to maximise prospects and mitigate risks. It therefore situates itself as a timely contribution to debates on how AI mediates the shift from the Fourth Estate to the Fifth Estate in contemporary Nigeria.