Question

Which of the following is not a feature of "Yellow journalism"?

• A. Sensationalism
• B. Rumours and gossip
• C. Bold and screaming headlines with large photographs
• D. Serious news

Hint:

Remember that "yellow journalism" is a negative term. Its characteristics are all related to unethical practices designed to boost sales, such as exaggeration and scandal-mongering. "Serious news" represents the ethical standards that yellow journalism violates.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
"Yellow journalism" refers to a style of newspaper reporting that emphasizes sensationalism over facts. It emerged in the late 19th century during the circulation wars between newspaper publishers like Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The main features of yellow journalism include:
- Sensationalism: Exaggerating details of events to create shocking or dramatic stories.
- Rumours and gossip: Publishing unverified claims, scandals, and personal stories.
- Bold and screaming headlines with large photographs: Using eye-catching layouts, large-print headlines, and dramatic pictures to attract readers.
"Serious news," which implies objective, fact-based, in-depth, and responsible reporting, is the opposite of yellow journalism. The goal of yellow journalism is to sell newspapers, often at the expense of journalistic ethics and accuracy, whereas the goal of serious news is to inform the public.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Serious news is not a feature of yellow journalism; in fact, it is what yellow journalism typically lacks. Therefore, option (D) is the correct answer.