<P> While there were many sensational stories in the New York World, they were by no means the only pieces, or even the dominant ones . Pulitzer believed that newspapers were public institutions with a duty to improve society, and he put the World in the service of social reform . </P> <P> Just two years after Pulitzer took it over, the World became the highest circulation newspaper in New York, aided in part by its strong ties to the Democratic Party . Older publishers, envious of Pulitzer's success, began criticizing the World, harping on its crime stories and stunts while ignoring its more serious reporting--trends which influenced the popular perception of yellow journalism . Charles Dana, editor of the New York Sun, attacked The World and said Pulitzer was "deficient in judgment and in staying power ." </P> <P> Pulitzer's approach made an impression on William Randolph Hearst, a mining heir who acquired the San Francisco Examiner from his father in 1887 . Hearst read the World while studying at Harvard University and resolved to make the Examiner as bright as Pulitzer's paper . </P> <P> Under his leadership, the Examiner devoted 24 percent of its space to crime, presenting the stories as morality plays, and sprinkled adultery and "nudity" (by 19th century standards) on the front page . A month after Hearst took over the paper, the Examiner ran this headline about a hotel fire: HUNGRY, FRANTIC FLAMES . They Leap Madly Upon the Splendid Pleasure Palace by the Bay of Monterey, Encircling Del Monte in Their Ravenous Embrace From Pinnacle to Foundation . Leaping Higher, Higher, Higher, With Desperate Desire . Running Madly Riotous Through Cornice, Archway and Facade . Rushing in Upon the Trembling Guests with Savage Fury . Appalled and Panic - Striken the Breathless Fugitives Gaze Upon the Scene of Terror . The Magnificent Hotel and Its Rich Adornments Now a Smoldering heap of Ashes . The Examiner Sends a Special Train to Monterey to Gather Full Details of the Terrible Disaster . Arrival of the Unfortunate Victims on the Morning's Train--A History of Hotel del Monte--The Plans for Rebuilding the Celebrated Hostelry--Particulars and Supposed Origin of the Fire ." </P>

Example of yellow journalism in spanish american war