Yellow Journalism, Sensationalism, and Circulation Wars

Book excerpt: The waning years of the nineteenth century saw the emergence of a new kind of journalism in the United States, one that not only challenged government and corporate power, but also turned to sordid crimes and scandals for much of its material. Sensational, shocking, and lurid, this new style of reporting came to be known as "yellow journalism." The trend influenced newspapers across the country, and its role in building public support for the Spanish-American War has become the stuff of legend. The supplemental features of this book, including striking photographs, primary sources, and informative sidebars, trace the development of yellow journalism and demonstrate its impact today.