Documentary Sets Out to Investigate a "Broken" Child Welfare System

On this episode, host Michael Azevedo is joined by Bill Lichtenstein and Brooke Lewitas, the team behind a documentary-in-process called "Broken," a film which intends to identify and expose the underlying systemic problems in the child welfare system, nationally, and more specifically in the state of MA. 

"Broken" follows Brooke as she investigates and exposes the fatally-flawed child protection, foster care and family court systems in Massachusetts – where despite a $1.3 billion annual budget, hundreds of children have died in the care of the state child welfare system in recent years.

Bill Lichtenstein previously worked for ABC News producing investigative reports for “20/20,” “World News Tonight” and “Nightline,” and has written extensively for the Huffington Post, Nation, New York Times, New York Daily News, Village Voice, and the Boston Globe on child welfare, health and media issues.

 

Bill's latest film, "WBCN and The American Revolution" and companion book on MIT Press/Penguin Random House, tells the untold story of the early days of the legendary Boston radio station to examine how media can create social change.  Both the film, which aired on PBS, and the book received multiple award.

 

Reporter Brooke Lewitas is a recent graduate of Boston University School of Journalism. Brooke’s master’s thesis involved identifying, interviewing, and forming journalistic relationships with families affected by the Massachusetts child welfare system, as well as experts in the field. Her thesis paper forms the approach and scope of the film. Brooke has worked in university, local, and national newsrooms, including a stint as a reporter and columnist for the Virginia-based Fairfax Times, and as the editor-in-chief of the Boston University News Service.

 

Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey.

 

About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/

 

Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead