Maiken Scott. Photo courtesy of The Social Work Podcast.

Reporters sometimes label people in articles as social workers when in fact these individuals are not educated, trained or licensed professionals. Or they pass on bad information about the social work profession.

What can social workers do to improve how they are portrayed in the news?

Jonathan Singer, PhD, LCSW, assistant professor at the Temple University College of Health Professions and Social Work, asked that question of WHYY  radio reporter Maiken Scott during an interview for his Social Work Podcast program.

Scott suggested a variety of tips, such as writing letters or editorials when your newspaper or favorite website posts misinformation about social work. Or calling reporters to offer them good story ideas about the profession.

To read Scott’s tips and some of the National Association of Social Worker suggestions to improve media coverage of the profession go to to the full interview.

The National Association of Social Workers launched SocialWorkersSpeak.org in 2009 to help social workers follow, influence and improve how they and issues they care about are portrayed in the news, in television programs and in movies. The award-winning website has helped social workers connect with movers and shakers in the entertainment industry, including officials at A&E, the Oprah Winfrey Network, Fox Television and MTV.