When it comes to journalism, there several different ways to acquire and tell a story. Whether fact of fiction, most stories are either true, or false. For Nellie Bly, a story had to be proven even if the journalist had to go undercover to do so.
One thing that sets Ms. Bly apart from current journalists is that the woman believed in only reporting honest news. When a news story came down the pipe, it had to be true for an article, book or paper to be written. In one case, the writer went undercover as a mental patient to prove patient abuse and neglect. In doing so, Nellie became one of the first investigative reporters in history.
One of the first journalists in history to fake insanity in order to study the inner-workings of an asylum, the journalist truly was one of a kind. While continuing to build on this legacy, Ms. Bly became a well known pioneer in the industry by creating this new inner aspect of fact finding and truth telling. Often proving fact from fiction, and vice versa, the journalist insisted on honesty when reporting the news.
The initial expose titled 10 Days In A Madhouse, told the truth about brutality, neglect and other ongoing issues at the Women's Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island. After reporting she thought the staff members were crazy, was afraid to sleep and had amnesia, Nellie was admitted after a brief examination.
Upon seeing the dirty eating areas, the condition of food and drink and all patients being treated quite poorly, the journalist had to report the news. In doing so, the reports garnered the attention of a grand jury which later conducted an investigation into these atrocities. These reports, once released became quite sensational at the time and resulted in the discovery of abuses going on in other institutions worldwide.
At the same time, Nellie also considered that anyone living in these conditions could become mentally ill, if one was not already. With the poor food and water quality, it seemed amazing more patients were not sick much less dying during Ms. Bly's 10 day stay. At that point and time, Ms. Bly wondered how many other healthy patients might have been admitted without warrant. Still, without outing oneself, Nellie had a hard time asking doctors about other patients.
Fortunately, Ms. Bly acquired all the information necessary to complete a book on the topic within ten days at which time the journalist was released. The writings garnered the interest of a grand jury which later asked Ms. Bly to help with an investigation. After which, a number of changes were made at the asylum to better protect patients and provide better overall care.
While in the end, it is still unknown as to how the journalist fooled the physicians and staff, precautions have now been taken with regards to the asylum doing so again in the future. Whether this action was based on an interest in patient care, or keeping journalists out in the future remains unclear. Whatever the case, Ms. Bly, the asylum and the grand jury investigation all became quite the sensation at the time.
One thing that sets Ms. Bly apart from current journalists is that the woman believed in only reporting honest news. When a news story came down the pipe, it had to be true for an article, book or paper to be written. In one case, the writer went undercover as a mental patient to prove patient abuse and neglect. In doing so, Nellie became one of the first investigative reporters in history.
One of the first journalists in history to fake insanity in order to study the inner-workings of an asylum, the journalist truly was one of a kind. While continuing to build on this legacy, Ms. Bly became a well known pioneer in the industry by creating this new inner aspect of fact finding and truth telling. Often proving fact from fiction, and vice versa, the journalist insisted on honesty when reporting the news.
The initial expose titled 10 Days In A Madhouse, told the truth about brutality, neglect and other ongoing issues at the Women's Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island. After reporting she thought the staff members were crazy, was afraid to sleep and had amnesia, Nellie was admitted after a brief examination.
Upon seeing the dirty eating areas, the condition of food and drink and all patients being treated quite poorly, the journalist had to report the news. In doing so, the reports garnered the attention of a grand jury which later conducted an investigation into these atrocities. These reports, once released became quite sensational at the time and resulted in the discovery of abuses going on in other institutions worldwide.
At the same time, Nellie also considered that anyone living in these conditions could become mentally ill, if one was not already. With the poor food and water quality, it seemed amazing more patients were not sick much less dying during Ms. Bly's 10 day stay. At that point and time, Ms. Bly wondered how many other healthy patients might have been admitted without warrant. Still, without outing oneself, Nellie had a hard time asking doctors about other patients.
Fortunately, Ms. Bly acquired all the information necessary to complete a book on the topic within ten days at which time the journalist was released. The writings garnered the interest of a grand jury which later asked Ms. Bly to help with an investigation. After which, a number of changes were made at the asylum to better protect patients and provide better overall care.
While in the end, it is still unknown as to how the journalist fooled the physicians and staff, precautions have now been taken with regards to the asylum doing so again in the future. Whether this action was based on an interest in patient care, or keeping journalists out in the future remains unclear. Whatever the case, Ms. Bly, the asylum and the grand jury investigation all became quite the sensation at the time.
About the Author:
Check out the official website of Nellie Bly by logging on to the main page now. The link you need to click on is right here http://racingnelliebly.com.