In the 1890s, a fierce rivalry between newspaper publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst permanently changed the course of American journalism. Core elements of their “yellow journalism,” like bold headlines, large pictures, nonpolitical news and even sensationalism, scandals and sometimes untruths, are still present in many newspapers today. Use the primary sources in this Jackdaw—newspaper front pages, contemporary political cartoons, the first comic strip, articles examining a citizen’s right to privacy and Pulitzer’s defense of yellow journalism—to show students how a quest to grab readers’ attention and sell more copies helped to make the media industry a prevailing force in our society. Historian: Audrey Green Rogers. The contents of this Focus Jackdaw feature:

Support Materials

• Illustrated Broadsheet Essay
• Timeline
• Critical Thinking Questions
• Recommended Reading List

Historical Documents

• Newspaper front pages, 1734-1898.
• Political cartoon, “The Royal Feast of Belshazzar Blaine and the Money Kings,” The World, 1884.
• Poster of “Yellow Kid” cartoons and memorabilia.
• Poster, “The New York Times: The Model of Decent and Dignified Journalism, 1896.
• Excerpts from “The Rights of the Citizen,” Scribner’s Magazine, 1890.
• Excerpts from “The Right to Privacy,” Harvard Law Review, 1890.
• “Hearst Defends So-Called Yellow Journals,” Fourth Estate, 1902.