The Yellow Journalism: The Press and America's Emergence as a World Power (Medill Visions Of The American Press)

When a case containing dismembered human remains surfaced in New York's East River in June of 1897, the publisher of the New York Journa l--a young, devil-may-care millionaire named William Randolph Hearst--decided that his newspaper would "scoop" the city's police department by solving this heinous crime. Pulling out all the stops, Hearst launched more than a journalistic murder investigation; his newspaper's active intervention in the city's daily life, especially its underside, marked the birth of the Yellow Press. In a work that studies the rise and fall of this phenomenon, David R. Spencer documents the fierce competition that characterized yellow journalism, the social realities and trends that contributed to its success (and its ultimate demise), its accomplishments for good or ill, and its long-term legacy. Most notable among Hearst's competitors was New York City's The World , owned and managed by a European Jewish immigrant named Joseph Pulitzer. The Yellow Journalism describes how these two papers and others exploited the scandal, corruption, and crime among the city's most influential citizens, and its most desperate inhabitants--a policy that made this "journalism of action" remarkably effective, not just as a commercial force, but also as an advocate for the city's poor and defenseless. Spencer shows how many of the innovations first introduced during this period--from investigative reporting to the use of color, entertainment news, and cartoons in papers--have had a lasting effect on journalism; and how media in our day reflects the Yellow Press's influence, but also its threatened irrelevance within the broader realities of contemporary society. A Case Containing Dismembered Human Remains Surfaces In New York's East River In June 1897 And The Publisher Of The New York Journal - A Young, Devil-may-care Millionaire Named William Randolph Hearst - Decides That His Newspaper Will Scoop The City's Policy Department By Solving The Heinous Crime. Pulling Out All The Stops, Hearst Launches More Than A Murder Investigation: His Newspaper's Active Intervention In The City's Daily Life, Especially Its Underside, Marked The Birth Of The Yellow Press. Most Notable Among Hearst's Competitors Was The World, Owned And Managed By A Jewish Immigrant Named Joseph Pulitzer. In The Yellow Journalism, David R. Spencer Describes How The Evolving Culture Of Victorian Journalism Was Shaped By The Yellow Press. He Details How These Two Papers And Others Exploited Scandal, Corruption, And Crime Among New York's Most Influential Citizens And Its Most Desperate Inhabitants - A Policy That Made This Journalism Of Action Remarkably Effective, Not Just As A Commercial Force But Also As An Advocate For The City's Poor And Defenseless.--jacket. Introduction -- The Inheritance -- The New York Marketplace -- Graphic Innovation -- Fact And Fiction -- The Spanish-american War And The Hearst Myth -- The Correspondents -- The Illustrators -- Conclusion. David R. Spencer ; Foreword By Geneva Overholser. Medill School Of Journalism. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 249-255) And Index. A case containing dismembered human remains surfaces in New York's East River in June 1897 and the publisher of the New York Journal-a young, devil-may-care millionaire named William Randolph Hearst-decides that his newspaper will "scoop" the city's police department by solving the heinous crime. Pulling out all the stops, Hearst launches more than a murder investigation: his newspaper's active intervention in the city's daily life, especially its underside, marked the birth of the Yellow Press.Most notable among Hearst's competitors was The World, owned and managed by a Jewish immigrant named Joseph Pulitzer. In The Yellow Journalism, David R. Spencer describes how the evolving culture of Victorian journalism was shaped by the Yellow Press. He details how these two papers and others exploited scandal, corruption, and crime among New York's most influential citizens and its most desperate inhabitants-a policy that made this "journalism of action" remarkably effective, not just as a commercial force but also as an advocate for the city's poor and defenseless. CONTENTS......Page 8 Foreword by Geneva Overholser......Page 10 Preface......Page 14 1. Introduction......Page 20 2. The Inheritance......Page 38 3. The New York Marketplace......Page 72 4. Graphic Innovation......Page 96 5. Fact and Fiction......Page 130 6. The Spanish-American War and the Hearst Myth......Page 158 7. The Correspondents......Page 188 8. The Illustrators......Page 240 9. Conclusion......Page 260 Notes......Page 266 Bibliography......Page 284 Index......Page 292