Undercover in an Insane Asylum: How a 23-Year-Old Changed Journalism

“In my time, women usually had their life stories written for them. But I didn’t like the story I was given, so I wrote a new one.” That’s Nellie Bly, the pen name of Elizabeth Cochrane. The story she wrote—in a newspaper in 1887, and, figuratively, of her life—would change the course of journalism in America. Read more: “Nellie Bly Makes the News“ was directed by Penny Lane and produced by Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting. It is part of The Atlantic Selects, an online showcase of short documentaries from independent creators, curated by The Atlantic. Subscribe to The Atlantic on YouTube: