“Journalism that exploits,
distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attracts the readers”
With yellow journalism the truth is usually misrepresented or concealed, more
often than not, there may be no truth to the story at all. In 1898, newspapers
provided the major source of news in America. At this time, it was common
practice for a newspaper to report the editor's interpretation of the news
rather than objective journalism. With this sort of influence, the newspapers
gained much political power. In order to increase circulation, the practice was
increased and the term given to this practice was “Yellow journalism”.
The first battle of yellow journalism was fought between William Hearst's New
York Morning Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World. Both were rival
newspaper groups in the United States. They exaggerated news stories against
each other. It consists of cartoons, illustrations, catchy stories, and things
that appeal to the reader’s interests and values. Yellow journalism is
exaggerated or biased writing or a visual representation that is disguised as
fact. It involves taking a factual story and writing or visually presenting it
in a sensational or distorted way. It may be used to invoke fear, hatred,
uncertainty, or even sympathy in readers.
Techniques may include
1. Exaggerations of news events: It means the representation of something in an
excessive manner. Words or expressions associated with exaggeration include:
magnification, maximization, overreaction, overstating and stretching the truth.
2. Scandal-making: A scandal is a widely publicized allegation or set of
allegations that damages (or tries to damage) the reputation of an institution,
individual or creed. A scandal may be based on true or false allegations or a
mixture of both.
3. Sensationalism: To cast and present in a manner intended to arouse strong
interest, especially through inclusion of overstated details.
Frank Luther Mott (1941) defines yellow journalism in terms of five
characteristics:
1. Scare headlines in huge print, often of minor news
2. Lavish use of pictures, or imaginary drawings
3. Use of faked interviews, misleading headlines, pseudo-science, and a parade
of false learning from so-called experts
4. Emphasis on full-color Sunday supplements, usually with comic strips
5. Dramatic sympathy and something against the system
Yellow journalism has been used as a war instrument portraying the opposite side
as evil, subhuman, or similarly worth attacking. It has been used for political
and social gain. The use of yellow journalism has mostly moved past the greed of
newspaper owners, and is now used mostly to alter public opinion.
Some newspapers, magazines, internet sites, and even television news channels
may present information with a spin on the facts to support their own views or
to increase their number of readers or viewers. Shocking headlines still sell
more papers than regular ones do.
It creates a culture of sensationalization. It increases politics and economical
competition among different authorities and groups. It encourages gender
discrimination. It highlights conflicts in the society e-g Human security
issues. It uses Mass Media and Public Interest and changes Norms and Ethics of
Media. It enables Media Change and Social Change- Promoting Violent Behaviors.