Sensationalism in the News

During these difficult economic times sensationalism has become more prevalent in the media. Stories involving sex scandals and child murders have taken over our T.V and internet screens as well as the front pages of our newspapers. The media bias of sensationalism has been used as a sort of escapism for readers. Although it may seem that sensationalism has just started making waves, it has been around for decades. Sensationalism has been influencing viewers and contributing to media bias since the days of the penny press. Sensationalisms long history has been turbulent, self-serving, and influential to today’s reporting practices. With the influence over readers’ sensationalism’s media bias have and will continue to affect media reporting for years to come.

Sensationalism is described as “use of shocking material: the practice of emphasizing the most lurid, shocking, and emotive aspects of something under discussion or investigation, especially by the media” (“Sensationalism”, 2009). This has tactic has been used for ages. Whether it’s stories being told about a monster who will eat bad children, to the dangerous communist ways, sensationalism is everywhere. Sensationalism began during the era of Pulitzer and Hearst newspaper era. Their feud would introduce sensationalism to media, and impact the lives of many.

Joseph Pulitzer, who helped bring sensationalism to the forefront, was born to humble beginnings. Born on April 10 1847, Pulitzer came to America in 1867 without any money and was recruited in the Union Army (Morris, 2010). After serving in the war, Pulitzer began his journalism career. He started out in a foreign language newspaper in St Louis. During his time at the foreign language newspaper he was intro...

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...rs must report on the side of their financial backers. Newspapers and nightly news shows tend not have the bi-partisan qualities that they claim to have.

Newspapers and nightly news shows have become a business. They no longer go by the public services values they once stood by (Sensationalism, 2005). Instead of being the fourth branch of government, they are just like any other money making business. It is no longer a race to put out the truth; it is more a race for dollars and control. Sensationalism is purely fueled by money and popularity. If a news outlet garners a large amount of popularity, they can swing votes, and influence voters. Sensationalism has already affected many political situations. Sensationalism has proven to spread like a virus. If sensationalism is not controlled, there is no way the news outlets can be the advocate for the people.