This study examines the portrayal of social workers in Croatian media, with a brief discussion of the Code of Ethics for Social Workers and the Code of Honor for Journalists. Fifty media posts from the most popular Croatian portals were analyzed, and none of them presented a positive story about social workers. Through thematic analysis, five narratives used to depict social workers in the media were identified. The Croatian media frequently discusses the responsibility of social workers, often shifting blame onto them or the relevant ministry, and holding them accountable for the tragic consequences of cases involving family violence. Many articles focus on violence against social workers, particularly following tragic events in the social care system in Croatia, which has led to an increase in attacks against social workers. Additionally, the narrative of system overload and deficiencies is emphasized. The absence of positive stories among the analyzed articles creates the perception that social work is associated with sad and tragic tales. The only topic approached from the perspective of social workers themselves is their mental and physical well-being, which also portrays their health issues and concerns about the future of the profession. The portrayal of social workers in other countries such as Sweden, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom does not differ significantly, although a slightly more positive narrative can be observed in the United States. Negative portrayal of social workers in the media can undermine trust among service users and stigmatize recipients of social services. Collaboration among social work professionals, media organizations, and policymakers, as well as public education, is crucial for improving the image of social workers in the media.