Yellow journalism is a style of journalism that emphasizes sensationalism over factual reporting to attract readers and increase newspaper sales. It often involves exaggerated headlines, shocking stories, and sometimes misleading or fabricated information. This form of journalism became prominent in the late 19th century, especially during a fierce circulation battle between New York newspapers like Joseph Pulitzer's New York World and William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal. The term "yellow journalism" possibly originated from a popular cartoon called "The Yellow Kid" featured in these papers. Yellow journalism is characterized by:

• Large, dramatic headlines designed to grab attention.
• Use of bold layouts with many pictures and colored illustrations.
• Sensational, scandalous, or exaggerated stories.
• Use of unnamed or dubious sources.
• Often prioritizing entertainment and emotional impact over accuracy.
• Targeting readerships such as immigrants, the working class, and those less served by traditional papers.

This style notably influenced the public perception and politics of its time, such as during the Spanish-American War, and its legacy persists in modern sensationalist media and "fake news" trends.