Yellow Journalism
Introduction
In the late 19th century, newspapers across the United States experienced a dramatic rise in readership. As the journalistic industry began to expand and flourish, two of the most prominent newspapers at the time, the New York World and the New York Journal, engaged in a fierce competition for readers. This competition, which lasted from 1895 to 1898 and is commonly referred to as the “Yellow Journalism” era, was characterized by sensational headlines and stories, often exaggerated or fabricated. In this answer, I will discuss why newspapers such as the New York World and the New York Journal engaged in “yellow journalism” in the 1890s.
Background of the “Yellow Journalism” Era
The term “Yellow Journalism” was first coined by the newspaper magnate Alfred H. Kelly in 1898 to describe the tactics used by the two newspapers owned by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The New York World, owned by Pulitzer, and the New York Journal, owned by Hearst, engaged in a fierce competition to gain readership by publishing dramatic and sensational stories. The stories often contained exaggerated or fabricated facts and had dramatic headlines designed to grab the attention of readers.
The Rise of Sensationalism
The “Yellow Journalism” era was characterized by the rise of sensationalism, which was fueled by the competitive environment between the two newspapers. Pulitzer and Hearst employed tactics such as sensational headlines, exaggeration of facts, and fabrication of stories in order to gain readership. They also utilized the mass production of newspapers, which allowed them to distribute stories to a large number of people quickly. Additionally, they employed illustrators to create dramatic images to accompany their stories, further enticing readers.
Benefits of Sensationalism
The tactics used by the newspapers had several benefits. Firstly, they were able to increase their readership, as the sensational stories were more likely to capture the attention of potential readers. Secondly, the dramatic headlines and stories allowed the newspapers to differentiate themselves from their competitors and stand out in the crowded newspaper market. Lastly, the use of sensationalism allowed the newspapers to make more money, as they were able to attract more readers who would purchase their newspapers.
Motivations for Engaging in “Yellow Journalism”
The primary motivation for Pulitzer and Hearst to engage in “yellow journalism” was to increase their readership and make more money. By sensationalizing stories, they were able to differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract more readers. Additionally, they employed tactics such as exaggeration of facts and fabrication of stories in order to make their stories more interesting and enticing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Yellow Journalism” was a prominent aspect of the newspaper industry in the late 19th century. The New York World and the New York Journal, owned by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst respectively, engaged in a fierce competition for readership by employing sensationalism. The tactics used by the newspapers, such as exaggeration of facts and fabrication of stories, allowed them to stand out in the crowded newspaper market and increase their readership. The primary motivation for Pulitzer and Hearst was to make more money by attracting more readers, and the tactics employed by the newspapers proved to be successful.