Chapter 6 - 5

05 History

Muckraking

People read newspapers to learn about current events and to be entertained.

Starting in the late 19th century, the medium was also used as a tool to promote social change.

One group of investigative journalists, known as muckrakers, redefined the role of the media in society by putting a particularly reformist spin on their work.

It was through their efforts that many of the social reform movements of the early 20th century were pushed into the consciousness of the public and politicians alike.

A muckraker is a journalist who investigates social injustices and brings them to public view.

The term was a comparison of this type of journalism to a muck rake.

The idea was that muckrakers stirred up ignored issues and placed them in clear view for people to take notice of the need for change, just as a muck rake is used to gather manure or compost and place it in an observable pile.

Although the work of muckrakers was sometimes published in tabloids with sensational titles, their main goal was not to sell newspapers, but to publicize social injustices.

The first of the muckraking journalists appeared in the late 19th century.

They covered a wide variety of issues, including dangers in the workplace and child labor.

The advent of muckraking corresponded with a changing political climate in which politicians were increasingly looking to improve American society.

The relationship between the muckrakers and politicians was undeniably an important factor in the reforms that took place during the period.

Politicians aligned themselves with many of the causes covered by muckrakers.

Likewise, many journalists supported the campaigns of politicians who were willing to enact social changes.

However, that is not to say that tensions did not arise between the two groups, particularly when the investigations were focused on the wrongdoings of politicians.

In a 1906 speech, President Roosevelt Criticized journalists in response to a series of articles written by David Graham Phillips.

In the articles, Phillips exposed political corruption amongst members of the Senate, which included some of Roosevelt’s closest political allies.

During the speech, Roosevelt suggested that the muckrakers were not always unbiased in their coverage.

It was during the same speech that Roosevelt coined the term “muckraker”.

Roosevelt’s public condemnation of the muckrakers prompted a negative response from the journalists.

Up to that point, Roosevelt had been considered a friend to the muckrakers.

He had been instrumental in passing new laws that improved working conditions and ensured the safety of food sold in the United States.

Despite the occasional tensions, muckrakers had an incredible impact on American society.

Their influence is evident in the number of reforms that occurred between 1900 and 1915.

Some changes that took place as a result of muckraking journalism were prison reforms, the adoption of child labor laws, and the nation’s first environmental conservation efforts.

Of the reforms, the most widely known are those that took place as a result of the most famous muckraking book ever published, The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair.

Set in the harsh world of the Chicago slaughterhouses, it depicts the hardships laborers encountered.

Through the book, the public learned about the terrible conditions that people working in the meatpacking industry endured.

Their safety was constantly threatened, and owners seemed to disregard their well-being altogether.

For example, there were multiple references to workers having body parts out off in the machines.

The book caught the attention of many.

It increased public concern for the employees in certain industries.

Additionally, the book also raised awareness about a different problem in the United States: the lack of quality control and regulation in the food industry.

Sinclair’s most notable supporter was President Roosevelt himself, who, upon reading the book, ordered a separate inquiry to investigate Sinclair’s allegations.

Finding that the horrors portrayed in the book were all too real for many people, Roosevelt began to work to remedy some of those problems.

Eventually, Sinclair’s book led to the passage of two very important laws: The Meat inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act.

The Meat Inspection Act was aimed at ensuring quality and safety of meat processed in the United States.

It ordered companies to inspect all meat and refuse to sell meat that could cause illness to humans.

The Pure Food and Drug Act regulated all companies that produced items for human consumption.

It was through the Pure Food and Drug Act that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was established.