Judge — October 14, 1893 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts prominent American newspaper publishers as criminals teaching a "school of crime." The visible names list influential editors: Pulitzer, Dana, Miller, Medill, Young, Watterson, Halstead, and Bennett—major figures in late 19th-century American journalism. The satire critiques sensationalist "yellow journalism," where these publishers competed fiercely for readers by covering scandals, crimes, and scandals prominently. The cartoon suggests their sensational crime reporting was itself criminal—teaching the public to be fascinated by vice and wrongdoing. The crowded classroom scene of attentive "students" implies this media influence shaped public morality negatively. This reflects contemporary concerns about journalism's power and responsibility during the era of intense newspaper competition.