*Economic Success*
Circulation Wars: Yellow journalism, with its sensational and exaggerated stories, helped newspapers capture the attention and increase circulation. Higher newspaper sales meant more revenue through advertising and subscriptions.
Pulitzer and Hearst were fiercely competing to outdo each other in their coverage of events, and yellow journalism proved to be a lucrative strategy. By appealing to the masses, they increased their market share and readership, which resulted in increased profits.
*Political Influence*
Political Power and Influence: Yellow journalism allowed Pulitzer and Hearst to exert influence on public opinion. By controlling the narratives and shaping public perception, they had the power to sway elections, promote political agendas, and challenge or support political figures.
Both Pulitzer and Hearst had political aspirations and used their newspapers as platforms to support their own political viewpoints and influence policy decisions.
*Sensationalism and Engagement*
Tap into Human Curiosity and Emotions: Yellow journalism tapped into human curiosity, scandal, crime, and sensationalism, which were elements that fascinated the public. Human curiosity and emotions were potent tools to engage and attract readers to their publications.
This kind of journalism could entertain readers and draw their attention to the news on a consistent basis.
*Newspapers as a Form of Entertainment*
Emerging Market: At the time, newspapers were evolving from being informative sources to also serving as a form of entertainment. Pulitzer and Hearst recognized this trend and capitalized on it by transforming news into exciting and captivating material that appealed to a broad audience.
Yellow journalism enabled them to tap into this emerging market and make their publications more engaging and interesting.
*Cultural and Historical Significance*
Long-Term Impact: Although yellow journalism has been criticized for its manipulative and unethical tactics, it also played a role in shaping the cultural landscape of the time and influencing the development of journalism. It raised questions about the responsibilities and ethics of the press, contributing to the evolution of journalistic practices and the quest for more reliable and trustworthy news reporting.
It's important to note that yellow journalism often involved fabrication, exaggeration, and sensationalism, and it is considered to be a deviation from responsible and ethical journalism practices.