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yellow journalism

/ˌjɛloʊ ˌdʒʌrnlˈɪzəm/
IPA guide

News stories that are focused on grabbing people's attention rather than conveying well-reported news are known as yellow journalism. A newspaper headline like "ALIENS STEAL NEIGHBORHOOD PUPPIES" is definitely an example of yellow journalism.

There are spectacular examples of yellow journalism throughout history, originally sensational or lurid headlines that enticed readers to buy the newspaper. Today, yellow journalism can be found all over the internet in the form of startling links that people can't help clicking. The term was first used in the 1890s, originally meaning "publicity stunt using colored ink," in the context of a fierce competition between two New York newspapers, both of which turned to exaggeration and sensationalism to increase readers.

Definitions of yellow journalism
  1. noun
    sensationalist journalism
    synonyms: tab, tabloid
    see moresee less
    type of:
    journalism, news media
    newspapers and magazines collectively
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