This paper examines the role of investigative journalism in shaping social and political reform during the Progressive Era of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Beginning with the rise of Progressivism and the political climate under President Theodore Roosevelt, the paper traces how journalists known as "muckrakers" exposed corporate greed, unsafe products, political corruption, and dangerous working conditions. It discusses key figures such as Ida Tarbell and Upton Sinclair, the significance of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, and the lasting legislative reforms that followed. The paper also considers what conditions foster investigative journalism and argues that such reporting remains essential to an informed democratic society.
The Industrial Revolution created urban poverty, larger businesses, and a financial system with control over a wide array of industries, from railroads to oil. A greater divide developed between the rich and the poor, which would result in a crusade against social and economic evil (Mabry).
The rise of Progressivism can be traced to the 1890s. Middle-class reformers, often spurred by personal goals and moral outrage, sought to address issues of corruption in politics, problems with dangerous goods, and corporate evasion of taxes. These reformers became the Progressives, with the goal of taking action to put an end to various abuses. Hoping to eliminate corruption in politics, preserve the dream of the American future, and find ways to control big business, Progressives stressed the concepts of virtue and efficiency (Mabry).
As these reformers prepared to move forward, President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901 and Theodore Roosevelt became president. Roosevelt appeared to support many Progressive goals by signing the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act. Ultimately, however, it was on the national government that Roosevelt wanted corporations to rely (Mabry).
President Roosevelt's truer goals became clear to journalists when David Graham Phillips began a series of articles in Cosmopolitan entitled "The Treason in the Senate." These articles included attacks on some of Roosevelt's political allies, and Roosevelt responded sharply. In a speech, Roosevelt coined the term "muckraker" in reference to investigative journalists, and journalists subsequently experienced a sense of betrayal. Following the speech, Phillips saw Roosevelt's name-calling as marking the end of investigative journalism. Phillips said, "The greatest single definite force against muckraking was President Roosevelt, who called these writers muckrakers. A tag like that running through the papers was an easy phrase of repeated attack upon what was in general a good journalistic movement" (Mabry).
Thankfully, Phillips was incorrect. Investigative journalism continues to live on, though there appear to be explanations for the fits and starts in such journalism. According to Mark Feldstein, investigative journalism increases when the public becomes hungry for such reporting and when there is turmoil — be it political, social, or cultural (9).
In addition to public demand, media supply — likely driven by advancing technologies and journalistic competition — along with fewer legal constraints are also required in order to sustain investigative reporting at the levels seen during the Progressive Era (Feldstein 12).
Another perspective on investigative journalism comes from Steve Weinberg and the formula needed to achieve results. Investigative journalism involves devoting significant time to subject matter, and it requires that editors and publishers give their journalists strong support if exhaustive efforts are to be pursued. Weinberg argues that readers appreciate in-depth reporting on the activities of powerful institutions. This holds true today — contemporary issues are no less vital and in need of examination than they were during the Progressive Era (Weinberg).
"Housing, food safety, and corporate monopoly reporting"
"1911 factory fire drives landmark workplace safety reforms"
"Lasting reforms and journalism's continuing democratic role"
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