Mucktracker is a play on the word muckraker, a term coined by Teddy Roosevelt to refer to journalists that exposed corruption and injustice in the early 20th century. These journalists trudged through the “muck” of society to shed light on societal problems. Muckrakers’ pieces often led to the passing of legislation to strengthen protection for workers and consumers. While the term is not as common today, the work of muckrakers continues on through the efforts of investigative reporters and watchdog journalists.
At Mucktracker, we hope to honor the legacy of these pioneering journalists by empowering the next generation of news readers and writers. Explore below to learn more about some of the Mucktracker team’s favorite muckrakers.
Click on each enlarged photo to read the biography of a famous muckraker.