Final answer:
Yellow journalism refers to sensationalized news reporting, aiming to attract readers through exaggerated stories, and is associated with both the origins of investigative journalism and the basis for today's tabloids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yellow journalism is a term used to describe a certain type of news reporting that emerged in the late 19th century, characterized by an emphasis on sensationalism to attract readers and sell more newspapers. This style of journalism is associated with exaggerated, scandalous, or sensationalized news stories, often focusing on scandals and human interest stories. It was famously employed by media magnates like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer who sought to drive sales and influence public opinion through bold headlines and lurid stories, with little regard for factual reporting.
Yellow journalism has multiple associations: it did indeed provide a sort of start to investigative journalism by sparking an interest in underlying truths despite its sensationalism; it can also be seen as the forerunner of today’s tabloids, with their focus on eye-catching and sensational stories; and finally, it is closely tied to the concept of sensationalism, which prioritizes shock value over factual accuracy.