Final answer:
Option c) is correct; the New York World and New York Journal used yellow journalism to shape public opinion on Cuban affairs, aiding in the build-up to the Spanish-American War.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the New York World and New York Journal's reporting on events in Cuba, option c) the newspapers were instrumental in shaping public opinion regarding events in Cuba is the most accurate. During the late 1890s, publishers like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer engaged in a form of journalism known as yellow journalism, which involved sensationalized and dramatic reporting. They used bold headlines, compelling images, and other eye-catching techniques to capture the reader's attention and boost newspaper circulation. Their coverage of the Cuban struggle for independence was no exception. The New York Journal and New York World employed these strategies to sway public opinion in favor of the Cuban cause, and the heightened emotions and public interest contributed to the United States' decision to intervene in the Spanish-American War.
The style of aggressive and emotive reporting by these newspapers helped to stir American support for the Cuban fight for freedom, blending factual events with exaggerated details to serve their own purposes like increasing circulation. It's important to note that while their reporting did help to raise awareness and sympathy for the Cubans, they did not necessarily provide unbiased information about the events taking place.