Yes, yellow journalism, if it bleeds it leads, is nothing new. What is new however is the commercialization of the WWW.
The WWW put all the problems of the past on steroids and the impact on people is far worse as a result. People are far more scared, depressed, and anxious than is warranted. They are relatively safe — safer than ever, but are more afraid than ever.
Even white men are depressed, becoming addicted, committing suicide, stockpiling weapons, and voting for Trump.
For money, Modern media is throwing gasoline and fanning the flames on all of society’s fears.