Starting in Yellow Journalism
In retaliation for being publicly criticized by an American journalist, the Mexican government threatened to put Bly in jail. Upon returning to the United States, she decided to start fresh in New York City. She found a position at The New York World under famed publisher Joseph Pulitzer. At the time, his paper was known for what was called “yellow journalism” – a sensationalist style that focused on attention-grabbing stories.
Nellie Bly. Photo by Granger / Shutterstock
As one of a few female journalists in the entire city, Bly’s first assignment was one that would make her famous. Pulitzer gave her an undercover assignment: she was to infiltrate the lunatic asylum on Blackwell’s Island. Rumors about its terrible conditions had circulated for a while. Pulitzer hoped to be the one to break the scandal.