How did yellow journalism and the uss main lead to war on spain?

In the time preceding the U.S. declaration of war on Spain there was sensational anti-Spanish journalism in the United States. This yellow journalism helped to shape U.S. public opinion in support of a military effort against Spain. Additionally, prior to the war in1898 the USS Maine was sunk mysteriously in the Havana Harbor off the coast of Cuba which drew the U.S. closer to war.