Final answer:
Gawker earns their readership through focusing on celebrity gossip and sensational news stories, utilizing a modern form of yellow journalism that prioritizes entertainment and scandal to attract a dedicated audience.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the video, Gawker earns their readership through focusing on celebrity gossip and sensational news stories. Gawker and its network, including gossip sites like Jezebel and Deadspin, are known for their tendency to breach privacy for the sake of sensationalism and readership, even if it involves paying for information. This approach to journalism often involves scandalous and attention-grabbing stories which resonate with readers seeking entertainment over traditional, insightful journalism.
In the broader context of media consumption, it's evident that while the internet has created opportunities for various news outlets to present a range of information and perspectives, many cater to specific interests or indulge in sensationalism to attract readers. For example, Joseph Pulitzer's New York World practiced what became known as yellow journalism, featuring scandalous and sensational front-page news to increase circulation.
Modern media platforms, including blogs and niche journalism sites, often exhibit a degree of bias and tailor content to the preferences of their audiences. This is exemplified by the dichotomous readership of liberal and conservative outlets, where each group seeks content that aligns with their existing viewpoints. Gawker's methods reflect this wider trend of creating content that generates engagement through provocative and often divisive means.