Muckraker

What is a Muckraker? The dictionary defines it as, “one who inquires into and publishes scandal and allegations of corruption among political and business leaders.” The term Muckraker has been surrounded with a negative connotation since the term came about in 1902 under the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. Some synonyms of the term Muckraker include Mudslinger, nitpicker and even hellion. But what most do not understand, is without the work of a Muckraker, those in which I prefer to recognize to as Journalism Intergritists, the world would never be in the place it is today. Yes, it is a no brainer. Muckrakers push boundaries. They dig up information, it is their job, their mission. But they do so because the information should not be hidden from the the public eye, especially in the democratic government America has fought to protect ever since WWI. With that being said, not only do they dig up this information, but these Muckrakers have the courage to share the information they uncover, in risk of what they could face for consequences. Therefore, Mitford is intellectual in her argument to say it is an honor to be labeled a Muckraker. Taking her argument one step further, not only are Muckrakers honorable, but they are heroes. As a Muckraker whether the…

Muckraker to Mole An Analysis of Investigative Journalist’s Role Throughout History – What is was, currently is and might be Introduction: This paper explores the development of investigative journalism from its early 20th-century beginnings of ‘muckraking, ' to its current function in today’s society. First examined is the history behind investigative journalism, detailing the original obligations of reporters such as Upton Sinclair and Seymour Hersh. Regardless of the name muckraker,…

Muckraker was a term to describe journalists who wrote about the corrupt side of business and public life in magazines during the early 20th century. During the Progressive Era they were especially important. The journalists investigated and brought light to bad things and wrong-doing going on with businesses and life. One muckraker who was significant to the Progressive Era was Upton Sinclair who wrote the book "The Jungle" in 1906. He began research for his novel and investigated human…

have been seen or heard, and by exposing the misconduct of certain individuals or institutions, they are necessary for learning secrets that hide in the corners of our world. Muckrakers use investigative journalism to uncover the lies and information necessary to the public, forcibly removing citizens from ignorance and providing them with startling truths. Starting in the early 20th century, the idea of muckraking has been increasingly known. Even a century ago, investigative journalists like…

One Muckraker’s Societal Influence: The Movement of Federal Food Regulation Issued in the United States Upton Sinclair, once said due to public recognition of his 1904 novel, The Jungle “I aimed for the public's heart, and by accident I hit the stomach instead”. A socialist, and muckraker railed for public outcry of labor equity. He launched a consumer movement through the midst of a harsh stockyard strike from unfairly payed wage workers, socialist writer Upton Sinclair visited Chicago’s…

The Jungle is novel, written by Upton Sinclair, which focuses on a recently immigrated (from Lithuania) family expecting/hoping for a better life in America. Upton Sinclair was regarded as one of the most renowned muckrakers, in other words, a journalist who exposed the corruptions in either industries or individuals. His writing was during a time of progressivism and reform, where there was an abundance of individuals seeking to improve society and human conditions and dispose of capitalist…

Propaganda in “The Jungle” The Jungle by Upton Sinclair is a novel exploiting the lives of Lithuanian immigrants in Chicago during the Industrial Revolution of the early 19th century. The immigrants have a goal of achieving the American dream, and as the story goes on they are faced with the horrors of the meat packing industry. Upton Sinclair is a yellow journalist and muckraker during the progressive era, therefore the story is bound to have exaggeration in order for him to succeed in…

All throughout the history of America business people and their companies have gotten away with manipulation and corruption. Some people didn’t know about the corruption, while others chose to ignore it. However, there were some people called Muckrakers, who dug up the truth and shared it with the world. Ida Tarbell was one of those people. Ida Tarbell helped to invent modern journalism, presented the truth about many political ideals, and exploited John D. Rockefeller and the Standard Oil…

In the late 1800’s, Julius Chambers checked herself into a mental asylum undercover as a mental patient and began composing one of the first forms of muckraker journalism, which exposed the abuse inmates were subjected to within these asylums. After Julius Chambers infamous account of the asylums, muckraker journalism spread like wildfire, leading to exposed political corruption and social scandals. Since the muckraker movement, news has become exceedingly relevant in people’s lives to get…

The Progressive Era was indeed successful and changed America forever. The progressives would discover ways to show the world the cruelty that would occur behind the doors. A title called muckraking journalism is how progressives would inform their audience with unknown problems in the 20th century. They would create political cartoons, young children books, and plenty of novels. Monopolizing was one main issue in the Progressive Era. Ida Tarbell was the well educated man who exposed the truth…