The Master of Fake News
Apr 29, 2017 07:38:46 #
Happy Birthday to newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst! On this day in 1863, the man who ushered in 'the age of yellow journalism' was born. This was later defined by American historian and journalist Frank Luther Mott as a type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines and sensationalised stories to sell more newspapers. It also deceives the audience it is intended for.
Hearst once described his strategy to drive circulation: "When the reader looks at Page One, he says, 'Gee-whiz.' When he turns to the second page, he says, 'Holy Moses.' And when he turns to the middle page, he says, 'God Almighty.' " It worked. Hearst went on to build a chain of nearly 30 newspapers across America, then expanded into magazines, creating the largest newspaper and magazine business in the world.
He did so by sticking rigidly to circulation-building sensationalism. And what could be more sensational and reader-appetising than a war? So when the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain began in February 1895, Spain’s use of brutal suppression was graphically – and imaginatively – portrayed by Hearst’s newspapers. He backed the underdog Cubans fighting on America’s doorstep and agitated for the United States to declare war on Spain. In 1897, he sent artist Frederic Remington to Havana with instructions to illustrate the tension. After some time the artist sent a note to Hearst saying: “Everything is quiet. There is no trouble. There will be no war. I wish to return.”
To which Hearst replied: “Please remain. You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”
In 1941, young film director Orson Welles brought out Citizen Kane, a biography in all but name of the newspaper mogul. It was nominated for nine Oscars and has since been voted one of the world’s greatest films. Hearst hated it and tried to block its release.
Hearst died in 1951, aged 88.
Hearst once described his strategy to drive circulation: "When the reader looks at Page One, he says, 'Gee-whiz.' When he turns to the second page, he says, 'Holy Moses.' And when he turns to the middle page, he says, 'God Almighty.' " It worked. Hearst went on to build a chain of nearly 30 newspapers across America, then expanded into magazines, creating the largest newspaper and magazine business in the world.
He did so by sticking rigidly to circulation-building sensationalism. And what could be more sensational and reader-appetising than a war? So when the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain began in February 1895, Spain’s use of brutal suppression was graphically – and imaginatively – portrayed by Hearst’s newspapers. He backed the underdog Cubans fighting on America’s doorstep and agitated for the United States to declare war on Spain. In 1897, he sent artist Frederic Remington to Havana with instructions to illustrate the tension. After some time the artist sent a note to Hearst saying: “Everything is quiet. There is no trouble. There will be no war. I wish to return.”
To which Hearst replied: “Please remain. You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”
In 1941, young film director Orson Welles brought out Citizen Kane, a biography in all but name of the newspaper mogul. It was nominated for nine Oscars and has since been voted one of the world’s greatest films. Hearst hated it and tried to block its release.
Hearst died in 1951, aged 88.
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