William Randolph Hearst

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how William Randolph Hearst is one of the most recognized names in American journalism today. It looks at how his efforts and contributions have literally changed the ways of reporting and how although he was known as a champion for the people, his exploitation of the news in order to spike newspaper sales has rendered him the father of yellow journalism.

From the Paper:

"Another thing associated with the sensationalism is the coverage of the Spanish-American War. According to Merrill, the war occurred so quickly that there was never as issue for censorship--however, if there was ever a need for censorship, it was at this time. Merrill points out that war might not have even occurred if the press had been "muzzled" (Merrill, et al. 361). The war fueled a newspaper war in New York between Hearst's Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's World. Some claim that the war was an inevitable by product of that circulation battle. Michael Emery reiterates this fact, adding that some of the photographs printed in the papers during this time were original and indeed, some were "fakes" (Emery 200). In order to cover a war that people wanted to read about, Hearst sent a photographer to Cuba and when it appeared there would be no war worth reporting, Hearst allegedly told him to supply the pictures and he (Hearst) would supply the war."

More papers on William Randolph Hearst:

• Comparison Essay # 53721 : "Hearst and Welles"
• Essay # 35913 : "Newspaper Mongols"
• Analytical Essay # 50958 : "John Dos Passos's "The Big Money"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: