Which term describes journalism that exposed corruption and social issues to provoke reform?

Which term describes journalism that exposed corruption and social issues to provoke reform?

• A. Yellow journalism
• B. Investigative journalism
• C. Muckraking
• D. Social reform journalism

Answer: (C)

Muckraking describes journalism that exposes corruption and social issues with the aim of spurring reform. In the Progressive Era, reporters dug into abuses in business and government, unsafe urban conditions, and other social problems to push for laws and reforms. Figures like Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, Lincoln Steffens, and Jacob Riis embodied this approach, linking their investigative work to concrete reforms such as food and drug regulation and anti-corruption measures. Yellow journalism centers on sensationalism for readers, not reform, while investigative journalism is the broader practice—muckraking is the specific reform-minded strand within that tradition. Social reform journalism isn’t the standard term used for this movement.

Muckraking describes journalism that exposes corruption and social issues with the aim of spurring reform. In the Progressive Era, reporters dug into abuses in business and government, unsafe urban conditions, and other social problems to push for laws and reforms. Figures like Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, Lincoln Steffens, and Jacob Riis embodied this approach, linking their investigative work to concrete reforms such as food and drug regulation and anti-corruption measures. Yellow journalism centers on sensationalism for readers, not reform, while investigative journalism is the broader practice—muckraking is the specific reform-minded strand within that tradition. Social reform journalism isn’t the standard term used for this movement.