Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Prep Guide for Exam Success!

Yellow journalism refers to a style of newspaper reporting that emphasizes sensationalism over facts. This approach often includes exaggerated headlines, scandal-mongering, and emotional language, aiming to attract readers' attention and provoke a strong reaction. It gained prominence in the late 19th century, particularly with the competition between newspapers like those owned by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst.

The practice is significant because it can influence public opinion and sway political outcomes, often prioritizing entertainment value and shock over journalistic integrity. Yellow journalism is typically marked by its focus on lurid details and sensational stories, which can sometimes lead to misinformation or a distortion of the truth.

The other options do not capture this essence. The reference to deteriorating paper stock pertains to the physical nature of the newspaper itself rather than its content style. Alternate or underground newspapers may focus on specific social issues or movements, but they are not inherently sensational in their journalism. Newspapers printed in color may indicate visual appeal but do not describe the sensationalist approach characteristic of yellow journalism.