Poynter

How to Cover Child Welfare — and Not Just the System

The article urges journalists to place children and families at the center of child‑welfare reporting, questioning the language and systemic biases that often obscure lived experiences. It highlights the need to move beyond crisis‑driven stories, showing how sensational coverage can trigger “foster‑care panics” and unnecessary separations. Reporters are encouraged to build trust through sustained, empathetic relationships with sources, giving families agency and avoiding retraumatization. By consistently covering both failures and successes, journalists can provide a fuller, more accountable picture of the child‑welfare landscape.