sensationalism

Meanings

1. The use of sensational subject matter, style or methods, or the sensational subject matter itself; behavior, published materials, or broadcasts that are intentionally controversial, exaggerated, lurid, loud, or attention-grabbing. Especially applied to news media in a pejorative sense that they are reporting in a manner to gain audience or notoriety but at the expense of accuracy and professionalism.
2. A theory of philosophy that all knowledge is ultimately derived from the senses.

Etymology

From sensational + -ism.