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22 September 2026

Sensationalism in people news headlines

Discover how to identify sensationalism in people news headlines and stay informed

Sensationalism in people news headlines

Sensationalism in people news headlines can be misleading and deceptive. Clickbait headlines are designed to attract attention and encourage clicks, often at the expense of accuracy and truth. To spot sensationalism, it’s essential to be aware of loaded language and missing context.

Loaded language refers to the use of words or phrases with strong emotional connotations, such as sensational or shocking. These words can create a biased or misleading impression, leading readers to form opinions based on emotions rather than facts.

Identifying clickbait headlines

Clickbait headlines often use superlatives such as bestworst or most to create a sense of urgency or importance. They may also use questions or statements that are designed to provoke a reaction, rather than provide accurate information.

For example, a headline that reads

Author

Sophie Donovan

Sophie Donovan, Manchester-born and classically elegant, once turned down a commission to chase a long-form piece on Salford’s textile heritage, filing instead from the mill where her grandmother worked. Advocates patient, context-rich features and brings a taste for quiet narrative detail and theatre aficionadoship.