During the early 1900 the term muckrakers was used to describe

During the early 1900s, the term "muckrakers" was used to describe journalists and writers who engaged in investigative reporting and exposed social, economic, and political issues. These reform-minded individuals sought to uncover and publicize corruption, inequality, and other societal problems with the goal of inspiring positive change.

Prominent muckrakers of the time included journalists like Upton Sinclair, Ida B. Wells, Lincoln Steffens, and Jacob Riis. Their investigative work contributed to the Progressive Era's emphasis on reforming various aspects of American society, including addressing issues such as child labor, unsafe working conditions, political corruption, and the concentration of economic power. The term "muckrakers" itself suggests their role in figuratively raking up and exposing the "muck" or dirt in society.