muckrake
Dig up scandal
To muckrake is to search for and expose misconduct by prominent people or institutions, especially through investigative journalism.
The term carries mixed connotations—admirable when revealing genuine corruption, dismissive when implying the investigator is more interested in scandal than truth.
A muckraker digs for dirt: The reporter muckraked her way through city hall records.
Overhyped news coverage
- tabloidSensationalist newspaper format
- exposéInvestigative journalism piece
- hit-pieceBiased attack journalism
- investigative-reportingJournalism exposing concealed wrongdoing
Corrupt payment for influence
- graftIllicit political gain
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
cronyism · scandal · malfeasance · profiteering · racketeering · sleaze · venality · fraud
One who provides intelligence
- leakEscape through a breach
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- insiderOne with confidential access
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
truth-telling · transparency · accountability · testimony · source · deep-throat · tipster · protection
Reveal what's hidden
Philosophy advocating societal reform
- antitrustAgainst corporate market dominance
- food-safetyProtecting consumables from contamination
- trust-bustingDissolving illegal monopolies
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
sensationalism
Overhyped news coverage
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- graftIllicit political gain
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
nepotism · cronyism · scandal · malfeasance · profiteering · racketeering · sleaze · venality · fraud · extortion
informant
One who provides intelligence
- leakEscape through a breach
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- insiderOne with confidential access
whistleblower · truth-telling · transparency · accountability · testimony · source · deep-throat · tipster · protection
uncover
Reveal what's hidden
divulge · leak · publish · broadcast · report · expose · unmask · out
progressivism
Philosophy advocating societal reform
- antitrustAgainst corporate market dominance
- food-safetyProtecting consumables from contamination
- trust-bustingDissolving illegal monopolies
probe
Thorough examination or tool
- delveSearch or investigate thoroughly
- digUnearth by shoveling
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
ferret · sift · unearth · research · examine · inspect · sleuth · dissect · fact-check · document
- muckraking journalismReporting that exposes corruption