American Imperialism and Journalism

American Imperialism and Journalism

• Late 19th century saw US rise as global power, coupled with growth in journalism.
• Journalistic entrepreneurs saw opportunity to expand reach and influence.
• Pulitzer and Hearst dominated the era, revolutionizing journalism.
• Their rivalry fueled "yellow journalism," a blend of news and sensationalism.
• "Yellow journalism" intensified circulation wars.

Yellow Journalism and the Cuban Crisis

• Hearst's campaign supporting Cuban rebels boosted circulation.
• Pulitzer joined the campaign, leading to unethical journalistic practices.
• Misinformation and distorted reporting fueled public support for war.
• Sensationalized coverage of the USS Maine explosion created war fever.
• Public frenzy pressured the president into abandoning anti-war policies.

Joseph Pulitzer's Journalism

• Born in Hungary, Joseph Pulitzer was a Civil War veteran.
• Initially worked for a St. Louis paper, rising to buy and merge papers.
• Pioneered a new style that appealed to the masses.
• Emphasized cheapness, clarity, and civic engagement.
• Focused on accuracy, viewing it as paramount to journalistic integrity.
• Led reforms in St. Louis, including exposing corruption.
• Established the New York World, targeting the urban working class.
• Used illustrations and headlines to attract readers.
• Sent reporter, Nellie Bly to circumnavigate the world.
• Expanded the scope of news—sports sections, women's pages.

William Randolph Hearst's Journalism

• Born in California to a wealthy silver mine owner.
• Hearst later found great success with New York Journal, driven by sensationalism and low costs.
• Purchased the financially struggling San Francisco Examiner.
• Focused on appealing to the masses and hiring talented reporters with strong focus on sports, theatre, and financial news.
• Used extreme measures to generate excitement, such as staging bizarre events.
• Hearst rapidly increased circulation.
• Started the "yellow journalism" rivalry with Pulitzer.
• Employed methods to generate high interest, including hiring a "sob sister".

The Creation of Yellow Journalism

• Pulitzer hired a cartoonist who developed the popular Yellow Kid character in response to Hearst's creation of the character.
• Both papers used the Yellow Kid character to increase circulation and popularise sensational journalism.

The Spanish-American War Crucible

• US expansionism and Cuban rebellion fueled calls for intervention.
• Hearst sensationalized the Cuban rebel cause, portraying Spain as brutal.
• Hearst's and Pulitzer newspapers published exaggerated accounts of Cuban suffering and Spanish brutality.
• Reports often came from partisan sources in the United States rather than direct on-site reporting.
• The USS Maine explosion provided fuel for war hysteria.

"Remember the Maine!"

• The Journal and World sensationalized the explosion of the USS Maine.
• They used misleading images and headlines to blame Spain.
• They triggered a massive response for war, influencing President McKinley.

Influence on the President

• Yellow journalism manipulated public opinion, pressuring the US government and president to declare war.
• McKinley faced immense public pressure to go to war despite initial opposition and evidence supporting his anti-war stance.
• War fever swept the nation due to misinformation and sensationalism.

Legacy of the Spanish-American War and Yellow Journalism

• The war could have potentially been averted if not for yellow journalism.
• Hearst achieved massive circulation, but his actions were criticized for their influence on US foreign policy.
• Hearst used journalism to elevate his status, while Pulitzer and Hearst had considerable conflict.
• Yellow journalism’s legacy remains a reminder of the powerful influence of the press on public opinion.
• The conflict was attributed to "yellow journalists" by Spanish officials.
• Hearst and other journalists believed that newspapers had a powerful voice and could influence politics.