2020 Graduation Ceremonies Editorial Guidelines

Given that all in-person classes for Kentucky schools have been canceled for the remainder of the school year, and that traditional graduation ceremonies are not possible, KET is willing to consider the broadcast of high school graduation ceremonies for Kentucky public and private high schools on KET KY (KET’s Kentucky channel), as well as live streaming on KET.org, and archived for on-demand viewing on KET.org.

All programs are subject to KET Editorial Guidelines (below) and will be reviewed for consideration by KET staff for conformity. These programs should resemble a ceremony and may include graduate photos, speakers, and awards. They should not include footage from parades or other widely held public events.

Interested schools should submit letter of intent to bstrube@ket.org by May 30, 2020.

Deadline for submission of final video: June 30, 2020

Download PDF of 2020 Graduation Ceremonies Editorial Guidelines

Editorial Guidelines for Programs Submitted to KET

Please review the information below, as well as the Program Submission Overview and Technical Requirements.

  • Must adhere to all PBS and KET programming content and editorial requirements, as well as standards for production quality and formatting. Program length should be no longer than 28:30 or 58:30.
  • Must provide content that is mission-based — educational, informational, insightful, and/or cultural entertainment — and may not promote commercial entities and/or their products, services, facilities, or events. Program content from nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and governmental entities cannot be essentially self-promotional in nature. In the case of individuals and for-profit organizations or commercial entities, program content cannot be self-promotional in any respect. Content from all sources must be a service to viewers with educational, informational, and/or cultural merit and not presented for promotional purposes.
  • Must have all rights cleared for broadcast and online streaming distribution by KET. The program producer must guarantee that it owns the copyright to the program and has secured broadcast and online streaming rights for all material, audio and video, contained within the program. The program producer must also agree to defend and indemnify KET against any claims arising out of the content of the program, including claims based on infringement of intellectual property rights.
      • Written releases for all people depicted in stills/videos that are part of the submitted videos must include:
        1. Permission for all uses at KET: broadcast, livestreaming, archived online video.
        2. Assurances that those submitting images own the copyright to images.
          (Note: the copyright of professional pictures, such as senior photos, are typically held by the photographer)

          • 18 or older need to be from the individual
          • Under 18 need to be from the parent or legal guardian
  • Must be accurate, truthful, and as complete as possible. Programming on KET may not mislead audiences in any way.
  • Must provide full disclosure of partner interests. Viewers must be advised of all contributors to programming content and any financial, in-kind, or other remuneration related to the content of the programming. Disclosure of the producer/presenter of programming is also required.
  • Must provide balanced and fair treatment of matters of public policy and/or controversy. Programming may not advocate one side of any particular issue, viewpoint, or policy. Special consideration will be given to programs dealing with controversial and/or public policy issues. While programming content may deal with matters of public policy, it may not advocate or lobby on any issue or legislative action. Alternative viewpoints must be acknowledged and fairly represented. Special consideration and care must also be applied in the interpretation of current and/or historical events.
  • May not include appearances by political candidates, political advertisements, material from political action committees, or any other content that may be deemed to promote candidates.
  • May not be hosted by, predominantly feature, or be produced by elected, political, or government officials, or associated staff.
  • May not create any perception that KET endorses or favors any political, elected, or government official, or any political party or viewpoint.
  • May not attempt to sell any product, service, facility, event, or include fund-raising or solicitation of any kind, charitable or otherwise.
  • May not contain religious services or content that is designed to proselytize or further the principles of particular religions or religious philosophies.
  • May not contain any content that is racist or advocates any type of discrimination.
  • No public service announcements of any type will be broadcast.
  • Must comply with the Federal Communications Act, FCC regulations and policies, and all other applicable legal requirements.

Programs considered for broadcast are accepted or scheduled at the sole discretion of KET’s Programming staff. KET reserves the right to reject programs when deemed necessary. No producer or presenter of programming is entitled to have its programming broadcast at all, or on any particular day or at any particular time.

KET anticipates airing approved graduation ceremonies in July and August of 2020.

KET acknowledges that some guidelines may be subjective in nature. KET may not have anticipated, in the guidelines above, every circumstance where programming might in any manner jeopardize KET’s interests, FCC licenses, PBS membership, integrity, and/or public trust, but in the event KET determines that there is such a risk, no such programming will be broadcast.

KET is available to assist with any questions and/or issues pertaining to production or program submission.

Prior contact with KET is recommended to help avoid any issues with program content, production quality, formatting, and/or requirements for broadcast (such as length, credits, rights, captioning, etc.).

KET will cover the costs to provide closed captioning for programs that are accepted to air.

For questions or more information, please contact: Brittany Strube at bstrube@ket.org.