Content Biases

Have you noticed how our digital content, be it educational, marketing or entertainment if full of unintended biases?

Over the years, I have encountered three kind of biases with regard to Voice Over in content in India:

1. Value Biases

The way VO artistes are valued sometimes borders on ridiculous! An expat artiste (irrespective of skill and capability) would usually be valued much higher than a local artiste. A local VO artiste with a clipped British (or American) accent is usually preferred over an artiste who has a native accent- even for content to be consumed in rural India.

2. Gender Biases

Female VO artistes are paid way lower than their male counterparts, even in this day and age!

Content producers & instructional designers prefer to use a male voice over for technical skills and female voice overs for soft skills.

3. Delivery Biases

The pace of the voice over slows down considerably for educational and content for rural audiences erring on the side of almost condescending.

Other than some advertising content and documentaries , most Voice Over is delivered in sing-song tone.

What has been your experience?

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