Final answer:
The two newspaper owners who became synonymous with the rise of yellow journalism were William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, as they sensationalized stories to increase circulation and influence public opinion during the tensions in Cuba.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two newspaper owners who took yellow journalism to new heights were William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. They led the way in sensationalist reporting during the increasing tensions in Cuba, which eventually contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. Hearst's New York Journal and Pulitzer's New York World newspapers competed fiercely against each other, employing tactics characteristic of yellow journalism such as bold headlines, dramatic pictures, and the inclusion of comics to attract readers and escalate sales.
This style of journalism highlighted shocking and scandalous stories, focusing more on stirring public emotion rather than factual accuracy. It now serves as a historical example of the media's power to influence public perception and policy.