3 September 2024, NIICE Commentary 9561
Maj. Vineet Kumar & Dr. Preethi Amaresh
Yellow journalism, a phrase forged in the late 19th century, refers to reporting exaggeration, use of bold headlines and sensationalism of news over objectivity and accuracy. It presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and has been a controversial topic in the world of journalism for decades. It usually contains emotional vocabulary, eye-catching news and the usage of dramatic photographs to capture the attention of the public audience. This form of journalism has been prevalent for a very long time as the competition between newspapers became proactive, and journalists and publishers were looking for forms to attract readers. Today, in the digital era it has become very challenging to distinguish facts from fiction due to the proliferation of fake news and misinformation online. Yellow Journalism constantly aims at gossip, scandals, and controversial issues to increase circulation and draw advertisers that can cause damage and misinterpret facts, sensationalize matters, and manipulate general perceptions, which are not necessarily in the public interest.
Yellow journalism has long been a matter of concern in the field of International Relations (IR). It has correspondingly played a crucial part in shaping public perceptions of foreign leaders, countries and has been used by media platforms to influence public opinion and impact government policies, usually leading to misinformed decisions with wide-ranging outcomes. One example of yellow journalism affecting IR is the coverage of conflicts and wars.
Political agendas can further manipulate the reports presented in IR reporting, leading to biased and sensationalized coverage that aligns with specific political objectives. Biased news can lead to hostility and misunderstandings between countries potentially escalating conflicts and further create a distorted presumption of reality preventing a nuanced insight into complex geopolitical conflicts and issues. Similarly, it can influence the general perception of global problems and shape public sentiment in ways that may not accurately mirror the actuality of the crisis. This can also impact general discourse and policy decisions, potentially directing to misguided actions that could have across-the-board ramifications on an international scale.
Presently, due to technological advancements yellow journalism has taken a new turn through “Deepfakes” that involves the unethical use of misleading, or inaccurate details in combination with manipulated video content to mislead and influence society. The possibility for malicious actors to weaponize it for propagating fake news and misinformation has been growing substantially, as deep fake technology becomes more cutting-edge and available. Undoubtedly, trust in the digital era is becoming more challenging for governments and existing directions are not facilitating demanding instantaneous efforts. So, one should protect the integrity of the information ecosystem and safeguard society from the detrimental consequences of fake news by taking farsighted steps to address the threats of yellow journalism on misinformation and deepfakes. In the context of “Cybersecurity”, it is a paramount element of IR as it involves the protection of sensitive data, information and infrastructure from cyber-attacks and threats. Yellow journalism can further problematize these issues by disseminating misinformation about cyber incidents or attributing attacks to the wrong actors. So, it becomes necessary to work towards a more secure and resilient cyber landscape by nurturing a culture of carefulness and critical thinking in the facade of sensationalized news.
By the same token, the influence of yellow journalism in the coverage of the “armed forces” of a country can have profound outcomes for both the military and the public. When news narratives are sensationalized and overstated, it can lead to a sense of apprehension and panic among the masses, which could lead to scrutiny and criticism of the armed forces. Inaccurate reporting can likewise misrepresent the movements of the armed forces and undermine general support for military functions, making it more challenging for the military to undertake its missions effectively. So, it becomes an important ethical responsibility for reporters and media platforms to deliver news objectively and reasonably to counter the adverse consequences of yellow journalism on the general perception of the armed forces. Balanced and accurate reporting on military operations and actions can help to produce public confidence and support for the armed forces. In the frame of reference to “terrorism coverage”, yellow journalism can further have detrimental impacts on national security. Faulty or exaggerated reporting can inadvertently provide terrorists with valuable data on the effectiveness of their attacks or uncover vulnerabilities in safety and security measures. This could likewise lead to terrorist organizations carrying out even more devastating and recurring attacks in the future. Sensationalizing actions of terror can lead to fear mongering among the public, potentially stirring panic and promoting xenophobia. The role of journalism in reporting on terrorism is a complicated and sensitive issue that demands careful reflection and journalists must therefore practice ethical reporting and fact-checking in this regard.
Furthermore, several countries since a very long time have been impacted by Yellow journalism. In the context of India’s IR, yellow journalism can play an important role in shaping general views and impacting foreign policy decisions. For instance, coverage of confrontations and spread of misinformation with neighboring countries could have a long-term impact on Indian diplomacy. Therefore, through constructive back-and-forth and fostering a culture of responsibility and transparency India should work on constructing more substantial and cogent ties with its global partners. The impact of yellow journalism in Russia has been crucial as it contributes to the spread of misinformation and the erosion of public trust in the media. To combat this, media organizations and journalists in the country must maintain ethical benchmarks and aim for precision and objectivity in their reporting to reconstruct trust with the public. The country further should collectively work with the public and the media industry to uphold the principles of truth and integrity in journalism. Sensationalism in the media has further been a pervasive point in the U.K for many years and it continues to be a powerful force in shaping the IR of the country. In the U.S, the role of Yellow Journalism cannot be understated and it has played a powerful part in shaping the IR of the U.S. during the late 19th, and early 20th century notably during the “Spanish-American War” and has continued to impact the country.
The influence of yellow journalism in IR cannot be underplayed. It can make it more difficult for countries to engage in diplomatic exchange and find amicable solutions to disputes. As an upshot, it has become a challenge for diplomats and policymakers to steer through the misinformation and accurately evaluate the genuine state of happenings. In a significantly globalized and interconnected world, where information and news are disseminated rapidly and widely, combating yellow journalism in IR is essential to foster peace, harmony and promote a healthy media landscape, democracy and understanding among countries. International organizations and governments should as well work together to mitigate its adverse influence on diplomatic relationships between countries by promoting transparency, hold media outlets accountable for biased reporting and enable open communication channels. Consequently, it is crucial for the general population to consider the source of information and data they consume and aim for authentic and unbiased sources to create a well-informed outlook on global matters.
