Sinking of the U.S.S. Maine and the public's reaction.

On February 15 1898, the US Battleship Maine was sunk in the Havana harbor. The cause of the explosion that lead to the ship's demise was thought to be from a mine, but ultimately, the cause was never explained. The newspapers that reported the even molded the public's opinion to be suspicious of Spain who had built up list of  grievances against the US. Therefore, journalism should be non bias and report only facts lest unforeseen maladies such as war occur.

http://www.homeofheroes.com/wallofhonor/spanish_am/02_maine.html