47 The Exploits of Nellie Bly
Many people criticize today’s newspapers as sensationalists, catering to the public’s morbid curiosity. But journalism a century ago was just as notorious. Publishers of that era routinely competed with each other for wild, extravagant stories that could draw in the most readers. It was an ideal atmosphere for a daring reporter like Nellie Bly.
By 1887, Nellie’s real name was Elizabeth Cochrane; she had to work to make her way in a world where many women of the time struggled, however, she refused to let the working world intimidate her. Her first big opportunity as a reporter came in 1885, after she sent an angry letter denouncing the Pittsburgh Dispatch for an article it had run criticizing women forced to work outside the home. The intrigued editor hired Bly to cover “women’s spirit,” and soon she was investigating the situations of female factory workers. She cared less about their jobs than about their lives after work—their amusements, their motivations, their fears and aspirations. She produced an article totally unlike what other reporters of the time were writing: personal, insightful, meaningful.
By 1887, Bly had a job with the New York World, one of the leading papers of the day. She quickly became famous for undercover stories about women in a mental hospital. Soon she investigated life as a maid, then completed a famous “around the world in 80 days” trip, reporting from each stop. A spellbound nation hung on every word. Traveling by steamship, train and rickshaws, Bly reported from each stop. Only 25, Bly had become an international celebrity.
47 内莉·布莱的事迹
许多人批评如今的报纸是耸人听闻的，迎合公众的病态好奇心。但一个世纪前的新闻业同样声名狼藉。那个时代的出版商们经常互相竞争，争夺能吸引最多读者的离奇、夸张的故事。这对像内莉·布莱这样大胆的记者来说，是一个理想的环境。
到1887年，内莉的真名是伊丽莎白·科克伦，她必须在一个对当时许多女性并不友好的职场中打拼，但她拒绝被职场吓倒。1885年，她给《匹兹堡电讯报》写了一封愤怒的信，谴责该报刊登的一篇批评被迫外出工作的女性的文章，这让她得到了作为记者的第一个重大机会。感兴趣的编辑雇佣了布莱，让她报道“女性精神”相关内容，很快她就开始调查女性工厂工人的处境。她不太关注她们的工作，更多关注她们下班后的生活——她们的娱乐、动机、恐惧和愿望。她写出的文章与当时其他记者的作品截然不同：充满个人色彩、富有洞察力且意义深远。
到1887年，布莱在当时的主流报纸之一《纽约世界报》找到了工作。她很快因关于精神病院女性的卧底报道而声名鹊起。不久后，她以女仆的身份进行调查，还完成了著名的“80天环游世界”之旅，并在每一站都发回报道。整个国家都被她的文字吸引，紧追每一则消息。布莱乘坐蒸汽船、火车和人力车旅行，每一站都发回报道。年仅25岁的布莱，已经成为了国际名人。