With the severe competition among the media corporations and the influence of the handover, Hong Kong media has been experiencing a shift to sensationalism. Sensational reporting prevails within the media in Hong Kong and such market hegemony was further intensified by the success of "Next" media and "Appledaily" where they target themselves in the market. Afterwards, sensationalism places its root in Hong Kong media. In order to fulfill audience curiosity and lust for sensational news, media tend to employ market strategies by setting the agenda on violence, criminal offense and sexual news. Media use much sensational wordings and lead and they even compete on the layout and use of pictures to increase sale. In doing so, media arouse public attention through the use of market driven strategies on events which are trifle and trivial in nature. In order to survive among the other media within such severe competition, media try very hard to expose and reveal whatever news can attract audience ’s attention and bring about their consumption. Sensational news become a trend and the media use the public voice to make trial on the victims, infringe upon others privacy and even use checkbook journalism to "buy" and "make" stories. They abandon their responsibility to report objectively and set aside their function of a gatekeeper. Such acts violate the media ethics and the social responsibility. If sensationalism prevails, the reputation of Hong Kong media will be greatly threatened.