Muckrakers were investigative journalists who revealed scandals. They sought to uncover political criminals among the public and disclose the truth. They shot photographs, drew illustrations, and authored booklets (The Jungle). They also revealed child labor and inhumane working conditions. The term was coined by Lincoln Steffens who wrote an article called "Muckraking: A New Word For Old Times" in the July 19, 1906 issue of The American Magazine.
Muckraking is a kind of journalism that aims to expose wrongdoing. It originated in the United States but is now used worldwide. Muckrakers typically use their findings to inform their readers and influence government officials and other stakeholders. They do this by writing articles, giving speeches, organizing protests, and more.
Some examples of muckraking include work by Lincoln Steffens (who coined the term) who exposed corruption in the meatpacking industry, Ida Tarbell who uncovered illegal practices at Standard Oil, and Upton Sinclair who described the terrible living conditions in California fruit orchards during a muckraking radio show interview.
People sometimes call reporters who write about crime, politics, and other controversial topics "muckrakers". The term is usually reserved for early 20th century journalists who exposed abuses within big business and government agencies.
Today, we may call muckrakers by the more polite term investigative journalists. These journalists attempted to shed light on urban officials' abuses, poverty, and hazardous and unclean working conditions. They also exposed corporate wrongdoing and governmental corruption. Most important, they helped create a culture of government transparency that has made America's politics and laws more open and accountable.
Muckraking journalists were able to influence public opinion and government policy because they had a large audience that was willing to read their articles. Newspapers at this time had small pages with limited space, so reporters used distinctive language and unusual layout techniques to get attention from readers. This catchy phrase came from an article about a man who had been murdered near a city reservoir. The police believed that he had come across some criminals who had taken his money and then killed him. However, since this murder took place in a secluded area without any witnesses, no one knew for sure what really happened.
The first choice is the correct answer here. Explanation: The muckrakers, as they were known, were crusading investigative journalists who fought to uncover both the corrupt practices of large corporations and the political corruption of the nation's leaders. Their efforts led to many improvements in government and business practices.
Muckraking was a term used by members of the press to describe investigations or reports that exposed social problems, unethical practices, etc., with a goal of improving them. Such reports were often critical of the institutions of their time, especially corporate power and political influence. They often employed innovative journalism techniques, such as undercover reporting and cross-checking facts against official records where possible. Some popular muckrakers include Lincoln Steffens, who investigated crime and corruption in New York City; George Seldes, who revealed fraud and misconduct at war factories during World War I; and I. F. Stone, who published controversial exposés about American politics and the Vietnam War.
It was originally used to describe journalists who reported on issues relevant to farmers. In the United States, the term came into use around 1845 when the first newspapers began publishing articles written by journalists who took an active interest in local affairs.
What were the muckrakers up to, and what did they achieve? The muckrakers were journalists and authors who were concerned about societal issues. Their efforts highlighted inequities at all levels of society, and it resulted in long-overdue changes.
Muckraking is a term used to describe the investigative journalism that exposed social problems and called attention to matters of public interest but which would otherwise have been ignored by the media. The term was coined by newspaper editor William Randolph Hearst to describe the work of journalists such as Lincoln Steffens and Jacob Riis. They wrote extensively about political corruption, industrial accidents, child labor, and other topics that today would be considered newsworthy. Their work was important because it brought attention to issues that might otherwise have remained hidden.
In the years before the creation of the FBI, police departments, and other agencies that investigate crime now, newspapers were the only means by which citizens could get information on crimes that had been committed against them. If someone had been abused by their spouse or was being cheated on by their partner, they could go to their local paper and report this information. The muckrakers used this fact as justification for their work - since there was no other way to expose injustice, they should be given credit for bringing these issues to light.