Which term describes a group of investigative reporters who exposed abuses of big business and urban politics, including Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffens, and Upton Sinclair?

Which term describes a group of investigative reporters who exposed abuses of big business and urban politics, including Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffens, and Upton Sinclair?

• A. Muckraker
• B. Investigative Journalists
• C. Reformers
• D. Journalists

Answer: (A)

Muckraker is the term that best captures this group of investigative reporters. They earned this label in the Progressive Era for digging into and exposing abuses by big business and corrupt urban politics, aiming to push for reform. Ida Tarbell investigated Standard Oil’s monopolistic practices; Lincoln Steffens wrote about corrupt political machines in cities; Upton Sinclair revealed unsafe conditions in the meatpacking industry in The Jungle. Their work highlighted social ills and helped spur reforms and new regulations. While they were journalists and engaged in investigative work, muckraker specifically names this cooperative, reform-minded tradition. Reformers describe a broader aim to change society, and journalists is too general to pin down this famous historical movement.

Muckraker is the term that best captures this group of investigative reporters. They earned this label in the Progressive Era for digging into and exposing abuses by big business and corrupt urban politics, aiming to push for reform. Ida Tarbell investigated Standard Oil’s monopolistic practices; Lincoln Steffens wrote about corrupt political machines in cities; Upton Sinclair revealed unsafe conditions in the meatpacking industry in The Jungle. Their work highlighted social ills and helped spur reforms and new regulations. While they were journalists and engaged in investigative work, muckraker specifically names this cooperative, reform-minded tradition. Reformers describe a broader aim to change society, and journalists is too general to pin down this famous historical movement.