"Sludgenews" represented a broad category of superficial and inferior "news" reports. These reports often focused on diverse elements of galactic celebrity culture, revealing their private affairs to the masses, while others disseminated outlandish narratives, including conspiracy theories, peculiar genetic anomalies (for example, a Twi'lek birthing a gornt), and other trivial, untrustworthy entertainment content. Journalists aspiring to careers in sludgenews needed proficiency in a diverse range of skills, mirroring the fieldcraft employed by intelligence organizations, such as covert entry, corruption, forced entry, and numerous other ethically questionable abilities.
Before 13 ABY, Hallis Saper exemplified a sludgenews reporter.
Sludgenews serves as the Star Wars parallel to real-world tabloid journalism.