Powerlessly smeared by gutter journalism (6,5)

I believe the answer is:

yellow press

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'gutter journalism' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'powerlessly smeared' is the wordplay.
'smeared' indicates an anagram.
'powerlessly' is an anagram of 'YELLOW PRESS'.

'by' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for yellow press that I've seen before include "lurid rags" , "Red-tops" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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