PBS strives to contribute to informed debate by presenting, over time, content that addresses a broad range of ideas, information, and perspectives. Inclusiveness means that content across the service is reflective of various geographic regions, ethnicities, genders, disabilities, age groups, religious beliefs, political viewpoints, veteran status, socioeconomic status, and other dimensions of identity.
Where appropriate, PBS may condition acceptance of content on the inclusion of additional viewpoints from which the public might draw a range of different conclusions. For instance, PBS may request that supplemental material be added, such as a new segment, an additional episode in a series of programs, or links to credible, high-quality, related resources that provide access to additional information with varied viewpoints.
Application Examples
Guidance on how to put the principle of Inclusiveness into practice:
Ensure That Content Is as Accessible as Possible
Producers should plan from the earliest stages to create content that is accessible on all platforms. This includes providing high-quality closed captions that display the audio portion of the content. The captions must be accurate, synchronous, complete, and placed to avoid obscuring key on-screen information (such as graphics and interviewee identifiers). Producers should also ensure that web resources are compatible with assistive technology. In addition, producers should consider opportunities for providing alternate audio tracks with additional languages and with audio-narrated description of key visual elements in order to make the content broadly accessible.
Incorporate Varied Perspectives
Producers should incorporate varied perspectives as a way of making content more inclusive, accurate, and complete. PBS content, across the service, should celebrate and include varied perspectives across cultures, backgrounds, viewpoints, and lived experiences. Producers should provide content that serves the public as a whole and does not perpetuate stereotypes.
Related Case Studies
Interactive scenarios involving the principle of Inclusiveness:
Related Articles
More in-depth exploration of the principle of Inclusiveness: