muckraking journalism

Muckraking journalism is a style of investigative reporting that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing on exposing corruption, injustice, and social issues in society. Journalists, known as muckrakers, dug deep into scandals involving politics, business practices, and social conditions, often bringing hidden truths to light. Their work aimed to inform the public, spark reform, and promote social change by highlighting wrongdoing and advocating for accountability. Notable muckrakers include Upton Sinclair, who exposed unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, and Ida Tarbell, who investigated the monopolistic practices of Standard Oil.