What term describes the investigative journalists of the Progressive Era who exposed social issues?

The term that describes the investigative journalists of the Progressive Era who exposed social issues is muckrakers. These journalists played a critical role in shining a light on various societal problems, such as corruption in government, unsafe working conditions, and the rampant social injustices of the time. Their work often led to public outcry and prompted important reforms.

Muckrakers utilized their investigative skills and writing prowess to uncover and report on the darker sides of American life, thereby raising public awareness and fostering a movement aimed at correcting these issues. Notable muckrakers include Ida Tarbell, who exposed the monopolistic practices of the Standard Oil Company, and Upton Sinclair, whose novel "The Jungle" highlighted the appalling conditions in the meatpacking industry.

In contrast, while social workers also aimed to address social issues, they typically focused more on direct service and support to individuals and communities rather than investigative journalism. Activists engage in advocacy and community organizing but are not specifically tied to the investigative journalism aspect. Reformers are broader in scope and may include various individuals or groups working toward change across different sectors but do not specifically denote the journalistic approach taken by muckrakers. Therefore, muckrakers is the precise term for those investigative journalists who sought to inform