yellow journalism

noun

1. the type of journalism that relies on sensationalism and lurid exaggeration to attract readers

yellow journalism

1. Inflammatory, irresponsible reporting by newspapers. The phrase arose during the 1890s, when some American newspapers, particularly those run by William Randolph Hearst , worked to incite hatred of Spain , thereby contributing to the start of the Spanish-American War . Newspapers that practice yellow journalism are called yellow press.

Word History and Origins

Origin of yellow journalism¹

C19: perhaps shortened from the phrase Yellow Kid journalism, referring to the Yellow Kid, a cartoon (1895) in the New York World, a newspaper having a reputation for sensationalism

Example Sentences

He accused the Telegraph of yellow journalism and “effectively putting words in one’s mouth.”

From Los Angeles Times

If the yellow journalism of the 19th century can be defined by the sensationalistic “if it bleeds, it leads” mentality, pink slime is the opposite.

From Washington Post

That column was cited in a Wall Street Journal opinion essay a month or so later accusing The Times of “a new kind of yellow journalism.”

From Los Angeles Times

It also adds that "the AP has engaged in the lowest form of yellow journalism and should be held accountable by the American public and their elected officials."

From Salon

Mr. Laurence served in World War I and, in the 1920s, began his newspapering at Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World, today considered a pioneer of yellow journalism.

From New York Times