US  History  2           Name:  

 Yellow  Journalism    Yellow  journalism,  in  short,  means  biased  opinion  camouflaged  as  objective  fact.  It  involves  sensationalism,  distorted  stories,  and  misleading  images  for  the  sole  purpose  of  boosting  newspaper  sales  and  exciting  public  opinion.  The  term  originates  from  a  series  of  events  around  a  cartoon  called  "The  Yellow  Kid".    In  1883  Joseph  Pulitzer  purchased  The  New  York  World  for  $346,000.  The  newspaper  concentrated  on  human-­‐interest  stories,  scandal  and  sensational  material.  It  was  extremely  popular,  especially  the  cartoons  of  its  main  artist,  Richard  F.  Outcault.      In  1895  William  Randolph  Hearst  purchased  The  New  York  Journal,  and  using  the  similar  approach  adopted  by  Joseph  Pulitzer,  began  to  compete  with  the  New  York  World.  Pulitzer  responded  by  producing  a  colour  supplement.  This  included  “The  Yellow  Kid”,  a  new  cartoon  character  drawn  by  Richard  F.  Outcault.  This  cartoon  became  so  popular  that  William  Randolph  Hearst,  owner  of  the  New  York  Journal,  offered  the  artist  a  considerable  amount  of  money  to  join  his  newspaper.  Joseph  Pulitzer  then  had  to  employ  a  new  artist,  George  Luks,  to  produce  the  Yellow  Kid  for  New  York  World.    As  a  result  of  the  importance  of  Outcault's  Yellow  Kid  character  in  these  events,  this  circulation  war  between  the  two  newspapers  became  known  as  “yellow  journalism”.      Sadly  though,  this  period  of  sensationalist  news  delivery  where  the  so-­‐called  yellow  press  routinely  outsold  the  more  honest  newspapers  does  stand  out  as  a  particularly  dark  era  in  journalistic  history.  The  demand  of  the  United  States  people  for  absolutely  free  press  allowed  such  newspapers  to  steal  headlines  and  stories  directly  from  other  papers,  or  simply  fabricate  stories  to  fit  their  particular  agenda.    One  of  the  more  disturbing  features  involved  with  the  former  practice  of  yellow  journalism  is  that  there  is  no  definite  line  between  this  period  of  yellow  journalism  and  the  period  afterwards.  Does  this  mean  that  yellow  journalism  simply  faded  away,  never  to  return?  Or  did  it  absorb  itself  into  the  very  heart  of  our  newspapers,  where  it  will  remain  forever?    Some  experts  argue  that  the  tactics  used  by  the  New  York  World  and  New  York  Journal  partly  influenced  the  content  and  style  of  newspapers  in  many  of  the  USA's  major  cities.  Indeed,  several  aspects  of  yellow  journalism,  such  as  banner  headlines,  sensational  stories,  and  coloured  supplements,  have  become  a  permanent  feature  of  many  popular  newspapers  in  the  United  States  and  Europe,  especially  tabloids.  

 The  modern  newspaper  appearances  of  catchy  headlines,  humorous  comic  strips,  special  interest  sections  and  intrusive  investigative  reporting  serve  as  a  constant  reminder  that  one  must  always  stay  sceptical  when  examining  news  sources.  Double-­‐checking  sources  and  reading  between  the  lines  is  highly  recommended.  If  one  disregards  the  obvious  marketing  that  is  used  to  hook  readers,  newspapers  may  actually  prove  to  be  reliable  sources  of  information.    Adapted  from:  http://library.thinkquest.org/C0111500/spanamer/yellow.htm,  http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAyellow.htm      Words:    Camouflaged  =  hidden  Objective  =  not  influenced  by  personal  feelings  or  opinions  in  considering  and  representing  facts    Indicate  whether  the  following  statements  are  true  or  false.    a) The  goal  of  yellow  journalism  is  to  excite  the  audience  and  improve  newspaper  sales,  

rather  than  informing  people  with  real  facts.  _____    

b) In  order  to  achieve  its  goals,  yellow  journalism  relies  on  solid  and  verified  facts.  _____    

c) The  term  “yellow  journalism”  was  coined  from  an  old  TV  cartoon  whose  main  character  was  “The  Yellow  Kid”.  _____    

d) Richard  F.  Outcault  was  working  for  New  York  World  when  he  was  offered  a  job  at  New  York  Journal.  _____    

e) William  Randolph  Hearst  was  the  artist  who  created  the  character  “The  Yellow  Kid”.  _____    

f) George  Luks  was  recruited  by  New  York  World  to  continue  the  production  of  the  cartoon.  _____    

g) At  the  time  when  New  York  World  and  New  York  Journal  were  publishing  “The  Yellow  Kid”,  honest  newspapers  were  less  successful  than  the  yellow  press.  _____    

h) American  people  did  not  like  the  idea  of  an  absolutely  free  press.  _____    

i) Banner  headlines  and  coloured  supplements  in  today’s  newspapers  were  inspired  from  the  yellow  press.  _____    

j) Modern  newspapers  do  not  use  catchy  headlines,  which  is  a  sign  that  they  are  only  concerned  with  the  truth.  _____