Gossip is a serious social disease. Today, this disease has spread as a disease of society. And from social media to various newspapers, they are not able to save themselves from this infectious disease. They are abusing the power day after day. A lot of media is also tarnishing his image by reporting baseless news against him indiscriminately to serve personal interests, in some cases even destroying large institutions.
Yellow Journalism
Yellow journalism refers to a sensationalized and exaggerated style of reporting that emerged in the late 19th century. It prioritized eye-catching headlines and dramatic stories over factual accuracy, aiming to attract readers and boost newspaper sales. Yellow journalism is criticized for manipulating public opinion. The term remains a pejorative label for any media practice that sacrifices truth for sensationalism.
Key features of yellow journalism include:
1. Sensational Headlines: Bold, attention-grabbing headlines, often exaggerating or distorting the news.
2. Exaggerated Stories: The content often sensationalizes events, making them appear more dramatic or scandalous than they are in reality.
3. “Lurid Imagery”: The use of provocative or shocking images and illustrations to draw readers’ attention.
4. Scant Regard for Facts: Accuracy and factual reporting take a back seat, with stories often based on rumors, half-truths, or outright fabrications.
5. Emotional Appeal: Yellow journalism frequently plays on readers’ emotions, using language and stories designed to provoke strong reactions, such as anger, fear, or outrage.
There was a time when this type of yellow journalism was done by some specific newspapers of the country but now some of the world’s famous newspapers have written their names in this type of journalism. Especially in online magazines, it is increasing because online magazines do not have hard copies, so they take full advantage of it. When the complaint was raised, the news was immediately removed, saying “sorry”. Many newspapers do not have the sense of responsibility to express regret.
Example Of yellow journalism
A well-known example of yellow journalism is the news coverage before the Spanish-American War of 1898. Newspapers such as William Randolph Hearst’s ‘New York Journal’ and Joseph Pulitzer’s ‘New York World carried dramatic and often fabricated accounts of events in Cuba, where Spain was trying to suppress a rebellion.
The report of the sinking of the USS ‘Maine’ in Havana Harbor stands as one such example. Despite insufficient evidence to support this claim, Hearst’s newspaper published headlines blaming Spain for the explosion. Public outrage was fueled by the coverage, and the United States came close to declaring war on Spain. The famous quote, “You paint the picture, I’ll paint the war,” is credited to Hirst, although its veracity is disputed. Nevertheless, it perfectly captures the essence of yellow journalism at the time.
It is an unethical act of journalism to intentionally denigrate someone, to present false, fabricated, and baseless news to any development organization or anyone’s reputation. Those who taint the great profession of journalism for their personal interests, hang the journalist’s level on their necks and indulge in bad journalism. In a word, they are called yellow journalists. Their purpose is never for the welfare of the nation and the people, but for self-interest. It can be said for sure that they are agents in some self-interested circles. It is the moral duty of every conscious person to resist the enemies of his country and nation, to reject them
Yellow journalism has several significant disadvantages:
1. Misinformation: Yellow journalism prioritizes sensationalism over accuracy, spreading misinformation and leading the public to form opinions based on distorted or false information.
2. Erosion of Public Trust: By undermining the credibility of the media, yellow journalism can erode public trust in journalism as a whole, making it harder for people to discern reliable news sources.
3. Manipulation of Public Opinion: Yellow journalism appeals to emotions and sensationalizes events, leading to the manipulation of public opinion, sometimes resulting in harmful consequences, such as unwarranted fear, panic, or even war.
4. Harm to Individuals and Society: The focus on scandal and sensationalism can harm the reputations of individuals, businesses, or communities, often without just cause or sufficient evidence.
5. Undermining Democratic Processes: Yellow journalism weakens the quality of public discourse by emphasizing entertainment over factual reporting, negatively affecting democratic decision-making, where informed citizens are crucial for making sound decisions.
Due to irresponsibility, a famous woman or man is always seen messing with their most personal matters. This irresponsibility reaches such a level that they are treating celebrity women and men as yellow journalism. And it has become one of the tools to increase clicks and readers online. For this, they resort to various strange titles, so that the readers are attracted. And if it’s a porn title, it doesn’t matter.
Media Terrorism
The term “media terrorism” describes how terrorist organizations manipulate and take advantage of media outlets to propagate misinformation, instill fear, and sway public opinion. Terrorist groups frequently use sensational, violent, or shocking content to attract attention and foster fear. By providing in-depth coverage of these events due to their desire for dramatic news, the media may, in turn, unintentionally reinforce these messages. The public may become less sensitive to violence due to this phenomenon, or they may become unduly wary and suspicious. The ethical obligations of the press are made more difficult by media terrorism, which muddies the distinction between news reporting and the tactical objectives of terrorist organizations.
Connection between Yellow journalism and media terrorism
The connection between yellow journalism and media terrorism lies in their use of sensationalism, exaggeration, and manipulation to achieve specific objectives. Both exploit the media’s power to influence public perception and behavior, often at the expense of truth and ethical standards.
- Exploitation of Fear: Both yellow journalism and media terrorism capitalize on fear as a tool to manipulate the audience.
- Influence on Public Opinion: Yellow journalism influenced public opinion and political decisions, much like how media terrorism seeks to influence public attitudes and policies through fear and propaganda.
- Ethical Concerns: Both practices raise serious ethical concerns about the role of media in society, particularly regarding the responsibilities of journalists and media organizations to report truthfully and responsibly.
In summary, while yellow journalism is a historic form of sensationalist reporting and media terrorism is a more modern phenomenon involving the use of media to spread fear and propaganda, both share common methods of exploiting media power to manipulate and control public perception.
