: What is the difference between yellow journalism and sensationalism? I understand there is some overlap between the two concepts, but I don't understand the distinction.

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The two things are probably more similar than you think they are.

Yellow journalism is a broader term for any kind of journalism that doesn't include any actual facts or research. It can include blatantly false information, and usually relies solely on exaggeration, dramatic images and headlines, and scare tactics.

Sensationalism is exaggeration, dramatic images and headlines, and scare tactics, among other things. It's the act of trying to catch the mass public's attention with deliberately shocking, scandalous, etc. stories that may not actually be what would be considered "news".

There's a lot of overlap. I guess the distinction, if there is one, is that "yellow journalism" is a type of journalism, while "sensationalism" is a journalistic tactic.

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