Question

True or False?

The term yellow journalism originated from a New York newspaper in the late nineteenth century that was printed on yell-toned paper stock.

Answer 1

Yellow journalism originates from the late nineteenth century and is named after the cartoon character "Yellow Kid," not because of the paper's color. It was used to sell more newspapers through sensationalist reporting and is an early version of today's click-bait and fake news.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement is False. Yellow journalism did not originate from the paper being printed on yellow-toned stock but was named after a popular cartoon character, "Yellow Kid." It refers to the practice, started in the late nineteenth century, where media tycoons like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer used sensationalist reporting, commonly involving inflammatory headlines and unfounded stories, to sell more newspapers and influence public opinion. This approach often sacrificed journalistic integrity for the sake of heightened reader engagement and profits, setting the stage for what we recognize today as click-bait and fake news. The irony lies in the fact that Joseph Pulitzer, one of the key figures in the promotion of yellow journalism, is now associated with the prestigious Pulitzer Prize that honors excellence in journalism.