Verified Document

Role Of Investigative Journalism The Essay

Child labor laws, meatpacking regulations and limitations on working hours are but three examples of reform. A turning point for reform occurred at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. On March 25, 1911, 146 immigrant employees died in a disastrous fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York City. The impact of the tragedy resulted in great efforts by labor unions, the New York state legislature and various New York City departments to address the causes and failures that allowed the deaths to occur. (Shepherd)

The workers had been subjected to low wages, long hours and, when the fire erupted, an inability to escape since the owners had only one exit door unlocked. The New York City fire department could not completely extinguish the fire because their hoses were too short and rescue for those at the top of the building was also impossible since their ladders were also too short. Not only did the owners create an untenable situation, but the city was utterly unprepared. Changes eventually occurred and people were more informed of such conditions. The truly sad part of this pivotal event is the lack of justice. The owners were brought forth in criminal court and despite moving testimony, proof and all other efforts to convict, the jury rendered a verdict of not guilty. (Shepherd)

Despite the injustice in the criminal court, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire did have its' impact. American's celebrate Labor Day, the day set aside for workers but it has much more meaning. The fire was a significant event and resulted in positive changes for workers. The deaths were the tremendous and unfortunate cost paid for the passage of broad workplace reforms in this country.

Investigative journalism had a major impact on society during the Progressive Era. Americans still rely on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food and drug safety. Minimum wage laws, anti-discrimination protections and the ability to feel safer are specific results....

Investigative journalism as definitely created change and will continue to do so.
Based on societal, political and corporate changed made, the role of investigative journalism is evident. From the Viet Nam War to Watergate, journalists have delved deep and risked their own lives to keep Americans informed. Journalists and their respective publishers/editors or broadcast producers must make every attempt to avoid corporate control gained through advertising. Financial support from a business or industry should not be allowed to prohibit journalists from proper reporting. There are issues and conditions which still exist or new ones that arise and continued journalistic pressure can affect significant change. Whether the issue is an unjust war or an unsafe vehicle, the people need to know and journalists are the crucial link.

Works Cited

Fieldstein, Mark. "A Muckraking Model: Investigative Reporting Cycles in American History." The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics 1st ser. 11.2 (2006). Gdw.edu/msmpa/faculty/documents/harvard.pdf. Web. March & April 2010. .

Mabry, Donald J. "Teddy Roosevelt and the Progressive Era, 1901-1908." The Historical Text Archive. Donald J. Mabry. Web. March & April 2010. .

"Muckraking." Spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk. Web. March & April 2010.

National Public Radio, prod. "The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire." Interview with David Von Drehle. NPR, Sept. & Oct. 2003. Npr.org. National Public Radio. Web. 28 Feb. 2010. <

pr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyld=1416870>.

Shepherd, William G. The Triangle Factory Fire. The Triangle Factory Fire. Cornell University ILR School. Web. March & April 2010. .

Weinberg, Steve. Publisher, Editor and Reporter: The Investigative Formula. Publication. Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard. Web. Mar.-Apr. 2010. <

ieman.harvard.edu/reportsitem.aspx?id=100053>.

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Fieldstein, Mark. "A Muckraking Model: Investigative Reporting Cycles in American History." The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics 1st ser. 11.2 (2006). Gdw.edu/msmpa/faculty/documents/harvard.pdf. Web. March & April 2010. .

Mabry, Donald J. "Teddy Roosevelt and the Progressive Era, 1901-1908." The Historical Text Archive. Donald J. Mabry. Web. March & April 2010. .

"Muckraking." Spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk. Web. March & April 2010.

National Public Radio, prod. "The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire." Interview with David Von Drehle. NPR, Sept. & Oct. 2003. Npr.org. National Public Radio. Web. 28 Feb. 2010. <
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Artificial Intelligence In Journalism
Words: 1721 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

Introduction In today's fast-paced digital world, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many industries, including journalism. AI technology has significantly transformed the way news is gathered, analyzed, and disseminated, ultimately changing the landscape of journalism. AI has enabled journalists to sift through vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently, allowing them to uncover trends, patterns, and insights that would have been impossible to detect manually. Algorithms can now scan through

Journalism Art in the Form
Words: 362 Length: 1 Document Type: Term Paper

Asawa's sculptures literally depict wires shaped into various forms such as bells, cones, teardrops, spheres, and ruffles, thus making it a form of abstract art. Banner's work literally depicts written paragraphs about nudes set on dark canvases, which makes it a form of representational art. While Asawa's sculptures do not explicitly represent anything, Banner's artwork is meant to represent female nudity. Banner tries to convey the message that nudity can

Ethics in Journalism: Case Study
Words: 1427 Length: 5 Document Type: Thesis

They're what journalists are supposed to explain. 'We'll focus on the issues' is the vow in virtually every newsroom in virtually every campaign. Ideally, it means producing comprehensive, thoughtful analyses of candidates' positions on economic growth, health care, education, defense, the environment, and so on." There is, however, a story that became the political issue when Senator Berry's public life, for whatever, became entangled in the lives of not one,

Media Violence the Role of Media Content
Words: 3442 Length: 11 Document Type: Essay

Media Violence The role of media content in the violent activities has been found to be prominent in the real life events and it has been observed that the individuals tend to adopt the violent acts by means of their cognitive learning and social process. There exists stimulus which makes individuals to indulge in the media illustrations and cause them to replicate these actions in the real life. Moreover, the existence

Communication Systems Put Wheels on Projects Facilitation
Words: 1956 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Communication Systems Put Wheels on Projects Facilitation participation. Development Support Communication (DSC) is a system that facilitates the sharing of information about development agenda and associated actions (Adesida, 2001). The purpose of development support communication is the effective linking of the stakeholders in a development process (Adesida, 2001). The range of stakeholders who benefit from a development support communication system is broad, including the planners, the implementers, the donor community,

Media the Two Media News
Words: 1502 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

Arguably, the raw data at WikiLeaks is far more powerful than anything that can be found in traditional media or satire news. The audience here must also acquire the tools necessary to properly digest the information, as an audience accustomed to uncritical digestion of mainstream media will be challenged by the raw information presented devoid of spin and context. Works Cited: Feldman, L. (2007). The news about comedy. Journalism. Vol 8

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now