Yellow Press. What is Yellow Journalism?

illustration: bing.com/create

The term "yellow press" was first used in the United States in 1896 to describe the competition between two New York newspapers: Joseph Pulitzer`s New York World and William Randolph Hearst`s New York Journal. Both newspapers competed for the highest circulation by using increasingly sensational and scandalous methods. The name "yellow press" originated from the yellow comic strip associated with the character The Yellow Kid, which appeared in both publications.

One of the most notable examples of yellow journalism from that time was the story of the sinking of the Spanish cruiser "Maine" in 1898. Hearst and Pulitzer falsely accused Spain of sinking the ship, which contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

Distinctive Features of Yellow Press

Also known as "penny press," yellow journalism is characterized by the following features:

• Focus on Sensation: Yellow press focuses on shocking, surprising, or unexpected events, often using headlines and illustrations designed to grab readers` attention.
• Superficiality: Yellow press often addresses complex topics in a superficial and simplified way, disregarding objectivity and accuracy.
• Emotions: Yellow press aims to evoke strong emotions in readers, such as fear, anger, or admiration.

Several factors contribute to the popularity of yellow press, including human curiosity that drives us to read about shocking and unexpected events, and the availability of information that makes it easier to find stories of interest.

Yellow press is popular in many countries. Examples include:

• In the United States: "The New York Post," "National Enquirer"
• In the United Kingdom: "The Sun," "Daily Mail"
• In Germany: "Bild," "RTL Aktuell."

Impact of Yellow Press on Society

Yellow press can have both positive and negative impacts on society. On one hand, it can raise public awareness on important issues. On the other, it can spread misinformation and contribute to societal polarization.

Positive effects of yellow press include:

• Raising Social Awareness: Yellow press can help raise awareness on important topics, such as social issues, politics, and culture.
• Promoting Democracy: Yellow press can support democracy by monitoring power and informing the public about significant events.

Negative effects of yellow press include:

• Spreading Misinformation: Yellow press can spread misinformation by disseminating false or unverified information.
• Polarizing Society: Yellow press can polarize society by promoting extremism and antagonism between different social groups.

Yellow journalism can be found in various media, such as print, television, radio, and online. Examples of yellow journalism practices include:

• Clickbait Headlines designed to attract readers` attention, even if they don`t match the article’s content.
• Spreading Gossip and Sensationalism without factual support.
• Using Unethical Journalism Practices, such as spying or blackmail.

Controversies and Popularity

In addition to newspapers, yellow journalism is also popular in other media, such as television, radio, and the internet. News programs and talk shows often focus on scandals and sensational topics. On the internet, news portals frequently publish articles on yellow press themes.

Yellow press and yellow journalism are terms that provoke much controversy. On one hand, they can be seen as a form of freedom of speech, allowing important topics to be discussed in a way that attracts readers’ attention. On the other hand, yellow press is criticized for spreading misinformation and polarizing society.

Share the article:

New articles in section Media industry

Advertising market 2025. Poland, Europe and the World

Marcin Grządka
The global advertising market is growing by 8.8% in 2025 and will reach a value of 1.14 trillion dollars. The industry result in Europe records slightly lower dynamics, at the level of 5.8%. In this comparison, Poland performs clearly above the average. We will record an increase of 8.9% this year and a value of 18.56 billion PLN - estimates WPP Media in the annual report "This Year Next Year".

The print media market 2025. Three global trends

Krzysztof Fiedorek
The market value is 359.53 billion dollars, yet the erosion is visible to the naked eye. The decline for newspapers will amount to -2.3 percent. Despite this, print retains strength: it generates 76 percent of subscription revenues and enjoys 82 percent consumer trust. The future of the industry is defined by hybrid strategies and niche specialization.

Journalism in the age of AI. Why people prefer humans over machines

Krzysztof Fiedorek
Only 12% of people accept news created solely by AI, while 62% prefer those written by humans. At the same time, only 19% notice labels indicating the use of artificial intelligence, while younger audiences ask AI to explain the content to them. These are the findings of the Reuters Institute report on artificial intelligence in media.

See articles on a similar topic:

Radio in Europe. How Are Listener Habits Changing?

KFi
Radio remains one of the most popular media in Europe, but data from the European Broadcasting Union's report "Audience Trends: Radio 2024" shows clear changes in listener habits. The average European spent 2 hours and 13 minutes per day listening to the radio in 2023. This is 18 minutes less than five years ago but only one minute less than the previous year.

Gen Z Will Force Brands to Tell the Truth. GWI Report and Forecasts

Krzysztof Fiedorek
They value authenticity and brand transparency, preferring socially engaged companies. Young people see technology as a tool for growth, not just entertainment. In relationships, they prioritize genuine connections despite being highly active online. What do we know about Gen Z, and what does this mean for marketing? And beyond.

Milgram Experiment 2023. AI Can Encourage Violence

KrzysztoF
Researchers from SWPS University replicated the famous Milgram experiment, in which participants were instructed to inflict pain on another person under the authority’s command. This time, the authority was a robot. It’s the first study showing that people are willing to harm another person when a robot commands them to do so.

Media in Poland 2022. How Poles Watch, Listen, Read, and Surf the Web

Krzysztof Fiedorek
Nearly two million Poles have access to a TV but do not watch television. For radio, the analogous group amounts to 8% of radio owners. Two-thirds of Poles reach for printed press, even occasionally, while the number of mobile internet users exceeds desktop users by nearly three million.

More in the section: Media industry