PBS Standards

Guidance on how to put the principle of Accountability into practice:

Avoid Gratuitously Offensive or Objectionable Material

While controversial and sensitive material may need to be included in PBS content, material that is gratuitously offensive (e.g., extreme violence, racial epithets, sexism, graphic language, or nudity) should not be included unless it is essential to understanding the matter at hand and does not violate federal law against broadcasting indecent and profane content. Material that is included merely to shock or draw attention and that does not impart valuable information is gratuitous. Given that questions of taste cannot be answered in the abstract, specific issues should be resolved in consultation with PBS Programming and Standards & Practices staff in light of contemporary standards of taste, the law, and the newsworthiness of the material. If PBS concludes that the exclusion of such material would distort an important reality or impair the content’s artistic quality, PBS may condition distribution of the content on providing audiences and member stations with sufficiently clear advance notice.

Minimize Harm to Vulnerable Sources

When covering a story involving vulnerable sources, producers should consider the safety and security of those sources alongside the public’s right to know. PBS recognizes that private individuals have a greater right to control information about themselves than public officials and public figures (e.g., those who seek power, attention, or public office). Producers should exercise especially great care when dealing with individuals who may be vulnerable. This means, for example, that producers generally should not identify victims of sexual assault or minors who are charged with crimes. Producers also should strive to ensure that subjects who are at risk of harm or trauma due to their participation in a program are aware of the dangers and have provided fully informed consent.

Identify Real or Perceived Conflicts of Interest

Producers must not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from individuals and businesses that they cover (other than tokens of nominal value). Such gifts, favors, or compensation could have the appearance of influencing content, regardless of the intent, and should be politely refused. Producers must inform PBS about any real or perceived conflicts of interest throughout the production process. This includes any financial or personal interests, or the activities of family members, companions, or close relatives that could reasonably be perceived as having the potential to influence the producer’s work. Producers also should avoid engaging in political activities or public expressions that could reasonably be perceived as undermining their ability to produce impartial content. For example, while producers may wish to publicly share certain views, producers must ensure that those views do not create a real or perceived conflict of interest with projects that they are actively developing for PBS. In some cases, a real or perceived conflict of interest can be addressed by prominently disclosing it to the audience. In other instances, a real or perceived conflict of interest may require certain changes to the content, necessitate changes to the production process, or prevent PBS from accepting the producer’s content for distribution.

Exercise Civility

PBS encourages robust digital engagement with the audience to solicit and encourage diverse views and perspectives, particularly when the content at issue involves opinion or commentary. When engaging with the public, however, producers and PBS staff must avoid getting drawn into personal attacks or other angry exchanges. They should instead strive to facilitate a civil exchange of ideas and learning, with patience and respect, while seeing, hearing, and remaining open to different perspectives. 

Avoid Influencing the Course of Events

Images and video are extraordinarily powerful tools; the mere presence of cameras can change or influence events. Producers should endeavor to minimize and, to the extent possible, eliminate this interference. In crowds, demonstrations, and riots, as well as in other similar circumstances, camera crews and production teams should seek to be as inconspicuous as possible, particularly when their presence might incite an extreme reaction or unduly influence the course of events.

Interactive scenarios involving the principle of Accountability:

More in-depth exploration of the principle of Accountability: