Muckrakers in US Politics and Journalism

muckrakers in US Politics and JournalismJanet HopkinsBy definition Muckrakers was the name given to US journalists and other writers who assailable putrescence in politics and line of merchandise in the early 20th century. The term was first used by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. Typic on the wholey these journalists Muckrakers attacked established institutions, businesses, and leaders. In modern day it would be called investigative journalism. It is said that muckrakers and their intrepid reporting style had opened the eyes of many readers to the unknown harsh side of industrial capitalism. (Perry, 2004)Muckrakers were to some named heroes. (It may be a clich, but it was all too true for journalists at the moment of the century. The print revolution enabled publications to increase their subscriptions dramatically. What appeared in print was now to a greater extent(prenominal) positionful than ever. Writing to Congress in hopes of correcting abuses was slow and often produced cryptograph results. Publishing a series of binds had a much more contiguous impact. Collectively called MUCKRAKERS, a brave cadre of reporters exposed in neverthelessices so everyplaceweight they made the blood of the average American run cold.) (unknown, 2008-2016)Muckrakers effected business and politics in ways no ane could have imagined. They wrote stories and investigated to pull the top off what some would call scandals and secrets. They called out deal and businesses for pasquinade and corruption. (The first to strike was Lincoln Steffens. In 1902, he published an article in MCCLURES magazine called TWEED DAYS IN ST. LOUIS. Steffens exposed how urban center officials worked in league with big business to maintain power musical composition corrupting the public treasury. ) (unknown, 2008-2016) After the publication from Lincoln Steffens more and more journalists published articles and even a book to follow. Soon public squall demanded reform of metropolis governmen t and gave strength to the progressive ideas of a city commission or city manager system. (unknown, 2008-2016)There is one Muckraker that stands out from the others due to the stir he made with his publication THE JUNGLE. Upton Sinclair, an verify socialist who hoped to illustrate the horrible effects of capitalism on the workers in the Chicago meatpacking industry. (unknown, 2008-2016) (The book detailed workers sacrificing their fingers and nails by working with acid, losing limbs, espial diseases, and toiling long hours in cold, cramped conditions. He hoped the public shout out would be so fierce that reforms would soon follow.) (unknown, 2008-2016) (Sinclair also uncovered the circumscribe of the products being sold to the general public. Spoiled meat was covered with chemicals to insure the smell. Skin, hair, stomach, ears, and nose were ground up and packaged as head cheese. Rats climbed over warehouse meat, leaving piles of excrement behind. Sinclair said that he aimed f or Americas midpoint and instead hit its stomach. Even President Roosevelt, who coined the derisive term muckraker, was propelled to act. in spite of appearance months, Congress passed the PURE FOOD AND DRUG ACT and the MEAT control ACT to curb these sickening abuses.) (unknown, 2008-2016) As you can imagine this touched businesses, politics, and citizens in a negative way.By the time the muckrakers were through, no one could doubt the reality of corruption between business and government was a historical fact. Not a single person could doubt the repellent consequences of this system for human lives in a time of untrammeled corporate greed. (Oppenheimer, 2017) The Muckrakers goal was to uncover much(prenominal) things as bribery, political corruption, fraud, and anything wrong with the government. Things the people of these cities should be aware of or know round that are unbroken secret by our leader or people in a seat of power.Muckrakers targeted many turn-of-the-century injustices brought on by the large increase of immigrants, the speedy growth of the cities, unregulated big business and the influence of political machines, as well as many other social problems. (Click, 2003-2017) The muckrakers exposed corruption in business, including unfair trusts, insurance fraud and dangers of patent medicines, were exposed. Muckrakers also criticized abuses of power in politics and government. (Click, 2003-2017) In most cases, muckraking articles took on a very serious nature. Magazine editors would often go to great lengths to watch the facts as they were reported in their publications. Some muckrakers even lived in the slums they wrote about or worked in the factories they investigated. The factual nature of the muckrakers articles leant credibility to the message the authors were direct to the American readers. (Click, 2003-2017)Muckrakers are still around now you really just dont here that term too much. In the progressive era muckrakers exposed so mu ch and did what they could to inform the people of America. We still see that today on news channels, in papers, even on social media such as Facebook. Just this past election things were exposed like scandals, and impostor votes or votes being changed. We see and hear it all around us. That is why these people weather called muckrakers or just investigative journalists are sometimes named heroes. People of America destiny to know the truth about stuff. We need to know the corrupt horrids of our society so we can be cautious. If it wasnt for them we would all be blind to things around us.ReferencesClick, L. (2003-2017). The Muckrakers of the Progressive Era Definition and Influence. Retrieved from study.com http//study.com/honorary society/lesson/the-muckrakers-of-the-progressive-era-definition-and-influence.htmlOppenheimer, M. (2017). The Rise and Fall of the Muckrakers. Retrieved from New Politics http//newpol.org/content/rise-and-fall-muckrakersPerry, E. L. (2004). Exposes and e xcess bring out in america, 1900/2000. Retrieved from proquest https//search.proquest.com/docview/205353999?accountid=10435unknown. (2008-2016). muckrakers. Retrieved from us history http//www.ushistory.org/us/42b.asp