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sensationalism

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Sensationalism is the act of foregoing accuracy or dignity in order to capture headlines or public attention.

(noun)

An example of sensationalism is a magazine that follows celebrities around and often exaggerates or makes up stories about those celebrities to sell papers.

See sensationalism in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. the use of strongly emotional subject matter, or wildly dramatic style, language, or artistic expression, that is intended to shock, startle, thrill, excite, etc.
2. preoccupation with or exploitation of what is sensational in literature, art, etc.
Philos. the belief that all knowledge is acquired through the use of the senses

Related Forms:

sensationalist noun
sensationalistic adjective

See sensationalism in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The use of sensational matter or methods, especially in writing, journalism, or politics.
b. Sensational subject matter.
c. Interest in or the effect of such subject matter.
Philosophy The theory that sensation is the only source of knowledge.
The ethical doctrine that feeling is the only criterion of good.

Related Forms: