PBS Kicks Off Virtual Conferences at 2021 Winter TCA Press Tour with Paula Kerger
Paula Kerger, President & CEO, opened PBS’s virtual appearance at the Winter 2021 TCA Press Tour. Over the next three days, PBS will be sharing a number of new programs and initiatives coming to PBS in 2021 and beyond.
In her remarks, Paula highlighted a number of new initiatives and programs aimed at PBS’s efforts to bring light to facts, create a space for civil discourse, and spark conversations in 2021.
“Building on our sweeping catalog of work, PBS has deepened our commitment to sharing stories of historically marginalized communities, from filmmakers of diverse backgrounds, and to heighten awareness about the legacies of systemic racism, hate, and inequality that continue to plague our country.”
Paula also announced a few new programs specifically aligned with these organizational goals.
TULSA: THE FIRE AND THE FORGOTTEN, premiering May 31, a documentary that will examine the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in the context of other racial massacres and police killings.
“Medical Racism” — filmmaker Stanley Nelson’s first collaboration with NOVA — will explore racial inequity in our nation’s healthcare system, as well as scientific evidence that racism itself has an adverse impact on the human body. This film is slated to come to PBS in 2022.
EXPLORING HATE, led by WNET, will support projects across public media to bring awareness to the rising tide of hate and anti-Semitism, such as “American Insurrection,” by FRONTLINE.
STORIES OF JUSTICE, led by INDEPENDENT LENS, is another initiative Paula announced that will shine an important light on criminal justice reform through more than 20 documentaries, including the 8-part series “Philly DA.”
Paula also shared that PBS, as part of its continued commitment to shining a light on the next generation of filmmakers, has launched an open call for content creators of diverse backgrounds to submit both long and short-form films in close partnership with The National Multicultural Alliance.
Please know that we are committed to leveraging the unique strengths of public television — including our reach into every home, and our local presence in communities across the country — to foster conversation and deepen understanding, to restore a sense of civility and respect for one another, and to help bring Americans together.
That mission has always been, and will continue to be, our north star.
In addition to these program announcements, PBS released the results from a nationwide survey on trust that named PBS as the “most trusted institution” for the 18th year in-a-row.
Paula closed the executive session by answering questions from critics about the impact of the global health pandemic on PBS, along with questions on the organization’s commitment to journalism and inclusive programming.
