The Cuban Revolt against Spain helped Pulitzer and Hearst and their unethical and distorted news. Americans were affected by the Cuban revolt due to the closeness of the island and involving ties created. Many were able to easily sympathizes with the revolt. Hearst will also help shape the American opinion with his view of the rebels as being courageous fighters against the oppressing Spanish. He stated “Their proceedings have been animated by the same fearless spirit that inspired the patriot fathers who sat in Philadelphia on the 4th of July, 1776.” (JWM 69) Pushing also the brutality of the oppressive Spain, Hearst will also try to shape the people’s opinion on the issue. However, these stories were from partisan Cubans that had just recently …show more content…
Sylvester Scovel will be sent by the World to go down to Cuba to follow and gather stories on the insurgents. Once he makes it down to Havana, he will soon be too daring and brash for his own good. Then on February 7th, they will print an article on Scovel and his arrest. The Spanish authorities will charge him with communicating with the enemy and crossing Spanish lines. He was also traveling with the improper papers and this will cause more problems for him. The World will publish a picture of him on horseback with some background information on his situation. This will spark a campaign for the World for the release of Scovel from prison. The campaign will be able to gather public support and before long the whole nation will be moved. Congress and some state and local governments will pass resolutions pushing for action by the State Department to have Scovel released. The effort will also gain much support from fellow correspondents and reporters who also help feed into the campaign. The World will send down Thomas Alvord Jr. to check in on Scovel situation in jail down in Cuba. Scovel was doing fine in jail and was being well taken care of. Then Weyler who the Journal demonized as "The most sinister figure of the 19th Century,” (RYJ) was very upset with how good and comfortable Scovel was. Eventually, on March 9, Weyler will have Scovel released. This order came from Madrid from the advice of De Lome to not harm Scovel because it would be hard to restrain the public opinion on the matter and this would then push the US government to have to act. Two weeks later, Scovel will be back in New York and will be one of the famous newspapersman. This incident will be helpful in increasing circulation of the paper and increased awareness of the brutality of