what were muckrakers?

Muckrakers were reform-minded journalists, writers, and photographers active primarily in the United States during the Progressive Era (1890s–1920s). They sought to expose corruption, social injustices, and abuses of power in big business, government, and other institutions, often through investigative journalism and sensational exposés. The muckrakers aimed to raise public awareness and prompt social and political reforms by revealing issues such as corporate monopolies, political corruption, unsafe working conditions, urban poverty, child labor, and other societal problems. The term "muckrakers" originated from a speech by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, where he referenced a character in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress called "the Man with the Muckrake" who focuses on filth. Although Roosevelt initially used the term disparagingly, it became a badge of honor for investigative journalists who courageously brought hidden abuses to light. Their work contributed to significant reforms including labor laws, food safety regulations, antitrust actions, and improvements in working and living conditions. Notable muckrakers included Ida Tarbell, who exposed Standard Oil's monopolistic practices, Lincoln Steffens, and Jacob Riis, whose photography highlighted urban poverty. Their journalism was instrumental in shaping public opinion and advancing progressive reforms in early 20th-century America.