 The electoral franchise was expanded from one or two percent of the men to a majority, and newspapers became the primary means of political education.In the 1870s, the London newspapers were stodgy affairs pitched to public school graduates and other elite men.Sensationalism, emphasizing dramatic stories, large headlines, and an emotional writing style was introduced by W. T. Stead, the editor of "The Pall Mall Gazette" (1883-1889).