The California Politics textbook mentions “muckraking journalists” in the context of the “Progressive” era in California politics. Since this course includes the impact of media on the political process in general and California politics in particular, we will focus on the historical impact of the “muckrakers” nationally and on California—and the growing impact that the Internet and new media are having on present-day muckraking.
Please write a ~350-word essay in the forum below that answers the following three questions.
What/who were the original muckrakers and on which national issues did they have the greatest impact?
What impact did Ambrose Bierce and the muckrakers have on California politics?
Who are the muckrakers of today and what impact is the Internet having?
Cite as many primary and secondary sources as you need, in addition to the textbook, to effectively support your conclusions and incorporate them into your essay.