Historians consider the Spanish-American War (1898) to be the first press-driven war. This war took place during the rise of yellow journalism, a style of journalism that emphasized sensationalism and exaggeration to attract readers. Newspapers, led by publishers like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, played a significant role in shaping public opinion and generating support for the war through their reporting. The media coverage of the conflict, particularly the sinking of the USS Maine and the portrayal of Spanish atrocities in Cuba, helped fuel nationalistic sentiment and ultimately led to American intervention.
