NCJ Number
139375
Journal
Media Studies Journal Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1992), 1-16
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
In the late 19th century, journalism that sensationalized crime and various behaviors believed to be immoral, later to become known as the "yellow press," flourished, and the most popular and influential of these publications was the National Police Gazette.
Abstract
The Gazette covered "human interest" stories, ranging from crime and sexual scandals to corruption, sports, glamour, and show business. First published in 1845, the Gazette upheld artisan and working-class culture and values, endorsing natural rights, republicanism, and the public good. Richard Kyle Fox, editor of the Gazette beginning in the 1870's, aggressively marketed his newspaper and made advertising an important source of revenue. While coverage of illegal blood sports, vaudeville and variety shows, and scandals was important, crimes of violence became the journal's lifeblood. Some stories went beyond descriptions of interpersonal violence to hint at the social dimensions of aggression. The paper used softcore pornography in its portrayal of women and often associated women with violence through words and pictures; other articles were blatantly racist or anti-Semitic. While the paper openly supported white laborers, there were no calls to revolution; the primary ethic of the paper was pleasure.