diff --git a/src/controllers/blog.controller.js b/src/controllers/blog.controller.js
index 82e0a6e0..66954317 100644
--- a/src/controllers/blog.controller.js
+++ b/src/controllers/blog.controller.js
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ const logger = require('../utils/logger.util');
 const claudeAPI = require('../services/ClaudeAPI.service');
 const BoundaryEnforcer = require('../services/BoundaryEnforcer.service');
 const BlogCuration = require('../services/BlogCuration.service');
+const PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator = require('../services/PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator.service');
 
 /**
  * List published blog posts (public)
@@ -311,18 +312,91 @@ async function publishPost(req, res) {
       });
     }
 
+    // Cultural sensitivity check (inst_081 pluralism)
+    // Detects Western-centric framing, Indigenous exclusion
+    // FLAGS for review, never blocks (human decides)
+    let culturalCheck = null;
+    let culturalReviewRequired = false;
+
+    try {
+      // Get full text for cultural check (title + excerpt + content)
+      const fullText = [post.title, post.excerpt, post.content]
+        .filter(Boolean)
+        .join('\n')
+        .replace(/<[^>]*>/g, ''); // Strip HTML tags
+
+      culturalCheck = await PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator.assessCulturalSensitivity(fullText, {
+        audience: {
+          // Phase 2: will add target_publications, language fields to BlogPost
+          tags: post.tags
+        },
+        content_type: 'blog_post',
+        post_id: id
+      });
+
+      if (culturalCheck.risk_level === 'HIGH') {
+        culturalReviewRequired = true;
+        logger.warn(`Blog post flagged for cultural sensitivity review`, {
+          post_id: id,
+          slug: post.slug,
+          risk_level: culturalCheck.risk_level,
+          concerns_count: culturalCheck.concerns.length
+        });
+      }
+
+      // Store cultural check results
+      await BlogPost.update(id, {
+        'moderation.cultural_sensitivity': {
+          risk_level: culturalCheck.risk_level,
+          concerns: culturalCheck.concerns,
+          suggestions: culturalCheck.suggestions,
+          recommended_action: culturalCheck.recommended_action,
+          checked_at: culturalCheck.timestamp
+        }
+      });
+
+    } catch (culturalError) {
+      logger.error('Cultural sensitivity check failed:', culturalError);
+      // Non-blocking: Allow publication but log the failure
+      await BlogPost.update(id, {
+        'moderation.cultural_sensitivity_error': culturalError.message
+      });
+    }
+
     // Publish the post
     await BlogPost.publish(id, req.userId);
 
     const updatedPost = await BlogPost.findById(id);
 
-    logger.info(`Blog post published: ${id} by ${req.user.email}`);
+    logger.info(`Blog post published: ${id} by ${req.user.email}`, {
+      cultural_review_required: culturalReviewRequired
+    });
 
-    res.json({
+    const response = {
       success: true,
       post: updatedPost,
-      message: 'Post published successfully'
-    });
+      message: culturalReviewRequired
+        ? 'Post published - FLAGGED for cultural sensitivity review'
+        : 'Post published successfully'
+    };
+
+    if (culturalCheck) {
+      response.cultural_sensitivity = {
+        risk_level: culturalCheck.risk_level,
+        review_required: culturalReviewRequired,
+        concerns_count: culturalCheck.concerns.length,
+        suggestions_count: culturalCheck.suggestions.length
+      };
+
+      // Include details if review required
+      if (culturalReviewRequired) {
+        response.cultural_sensitivity.concerns = culturalCheck.concerns;
+        response.cultural_sensitivity.suggestions = culturalCheck.suggestions;
+        response.cultural_sensitivity.note = 'Human review recommended (inst_081 pluralism)';
+      }
+    }
+
+    res.json(response);
 
   } catch (error) {
     logger.error('Publish post error:', error);
diff --git a/src/controllers/media.controller.js b/src/controllers/media.controller.js
index ea619b08..f4cc4bef 100644
--- a/src/controllers/media.controller.js
+++ b/src/controllers/media.controller.js
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ const GovernanceLog = require('../models/GovernanceLog.model');
 const BoundaryEnforcer = require('../services/BoundaryEnforcer.service');
 const MediaTriageService = require('../services/MediaTriage.service');
 const ContentGovernanceChecker = require('../services/ContentGovernanceChecker.service');
+const PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator = require('../services/PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator.service');
 const logger = require('../utils/logger.util');
 
 /**
@@ -269,13 +270,48 @@ async function respondToInquiry(req, res) {
       });
     }
 
+    // Cultural sensitivity check (inst_081 pluralism)
+    // Detects Western-centric framing, Indigenous exclusion for diverse audiences
+    // FLAGS for review, never blocks (human decides)
+    let culturalCheck = null;
+    let culturalReviewRequired = false;
+
+    if (inquiry.contact) {
+      culturalCheck = await PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator.assessCulturalSensitivity(content, {
+        audience: {
+          country: inquiry.contact.country,
+          outlet: inquiry.contact.outlet,
+          cultural_context: inquiry.contact.cultural_context
+        },
+        content_type: 'media_response',
+        inquiry_id: id
+      });
+
+      if (culturalCheck.risk_level === 'HIGH') {
+        culturalReviewRequired = true;
+        logger.warn(`Media response flagged for cultural sensitivity review`, {
+          inquiry_id: id,
+          risk_level: culturalCheck.risk_level,
+          concerns_count: culturalCheck.concerns.length,
+          responder: req.user.email
+        });
+      }
+    }
+
     const success = await MediaInquiry.respond(id, {
       content,
       responder: req.user.email,
       governance_check: {
         passed: true,
         scanned_at: governanceCheck.scannedAt
-      }
+      },
+      cultural_sensitivity: culturalCheck ? {
+        risk_level: culturalCheck.risk_level,
+        concerns: culturalCheck.concerns,
+        suggestions: culturalCheck.suggestions,
+        recommended_action: culturalCheck.recommended_action,
+        checked_at: culturalCheck.timestamp
+      } : null
     });
 
     if (!success) {
@@ -286,18 +322,39 @@ async function respondToInquiry(req, res) {
     }
 
     logger.info(`Media inquiry ${id} responded to by ${req.user.email}`, {
-      governance_check_passed: true
+      governance_check_passed: true,
+      cultural_review_required: culturalReviewRequired
     });
 
-    res.json({
+    const response = {
       success: true,
-      message: 'Response recorded successfully (framework check passed)',
+      message: culturalReviewRequired
+        ? 'Response recorded - FLAGGED for cultural sensitivity review'
+        : 'Response recorded successfully (framework check passed)',
       note: 'Remember to send actual email to media contact separately',
       governance: {
         checked: true,
         violations: 0
       }
-    });
+    };
+
+    if (culturalCheck) {
+      response.cultural_sensitivity = {
+        risk_level: culturalCheck.risk_level,
+        review_required: culturalReviewRequired,
+        concerns_count: culturalCheck.concerns.length,
+        suggestions_count: culturalCheck.suggestions.length
+      };
+
+      // Include details if review required
+      if (culturalReviewRequired) {
+        response.cultural_sensitivity.concerns = culturalCheck.concerns;
+        response.cultural_sensitivity.suggestions = culturalCheck.suggestions;
+        response.cultural_sensitivity.note = 'Human review recommended before sending (inst_081 pluralism)';
+      }
+    }
+
+    res.json(response);
 
   } catch (error) {
     logger.error('Respond to inquiry error:', error);
diff --git a/src/models/MediaInquiry.model.js b/src/models/MediaInquiry.model.js
index 4314ec45..90636c9c 100644
--- a/src/models/MediaInquiry.model.js
+++ b/src/models/MediaInquiry.model.js
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ class MediaInquiry {
         name: data.contact.name,
         email: data.contact.email,
         outlet: data.contact.outlet,
-        phone: data.contact.phone
+        phone: data.contact.phone,
+        country: data.contact.country, // ISO country code for cultural sensitivity
+        cultural_context: data.contact.cultural_context // e.g., 'indigenous', 'non-western'
       },
       inquiry: {
         subject: data.inquiry.subject,
@@ -127,16 +129,28 @@ class MediaInquiry {
   static async respond(id, responseData) {
     const collection = await getCollection('media_inquiries');
 
+    const updateDoc = {
+      $set: {
+        status: 'responded',
+        'response.sent_at': new Date(),
+        'response.content': responseData.content,
+        'response.responder': responseData.responder
+      }
+    };
+
+    // Add governance check results if provided
+    if (responseData.governance_check) {
+      updateDoc.$set['response.governance_check'] = responseData.governance_check;
+    }
+
+    // Add cultural sensitivity check results if provided
+    if (responseData.cultural_sensitivity) {
+      updateDoc.$set['response.cultural_sensitivity'] = responseData.cultural_sensitivity;
+    }
+
     const result = await collection.updateOne(
       { _id: new ObjectId(id) },
-      {
-        $set: {
-          status: 'responded',
-          'response.sent_at': new Date(),
-          'response.content': responseData.content,
-          'response.responder': responseData.responder
-        }
-      }
+      updateDoc
     );
 
     return result.modifiedCount > 0;
diff --git a/src/services/PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator.service.js b/src/services/PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator.service.js
index e88a0104..2ac379a4 100644
--- a/src/services/PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator.service.js
+++ b/src/services/PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator.service.js
@@ -562,6 +562,273 @@ class PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator {
     });
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Assess cultural sensitivity of external communication content
+   * Identifies culturally inappropriate messaging for diverse audiences
+   *
+   * @param {string} content - Content to assess
+   * @param {Object} context - Audience/communication context
+   * @param {Object} context.audience - Audience information (country, region, cultural_context)
+   * @param {string} context.content_type - Type (media_response, blog_post, template, newsletter)
+   * @returns {Promise<Object>} Cultural sensitivity assessment
+   *
+   * Core Principles:
+   * - inst_081: Pluralism - different value frameworks are equally legitimate
+   * - Detect Western-centric framings inappropriate for other cultures
+   * - FLAG for review, never auto-block (human decides)
+   * - Suggest adaptations, but preserve human agency
+   */
+  async assessCulturalSensitivity(content, context = {}) {
+    const {
+      audience = {},
+      content_type = 'general',
+      target_publications = []
+    } = context;
+
+    logger.info('[PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator] Assessing cultural sensitivity', {
+      content_type,
+      audience_country: audience.country,
+      audience_region: audience.region
+    });
+
+    const assessment = {
+      culturally_sensitive: true,
+      risk_level: 'LOW',
+      concerns: [],
+      suggestions: [],
+      recommended_action: 'APPROVE',
+      timestamp: new Date(),
+      context
+    };
+
+    // Check if audience is non-Western or culturally distinct
+    const highRiskAudience = this._identifyHighRiskAudience(audience, target_publications);
+    const sensitiveTopics = this._detectSensitiveTopics(content);
+
+    // Western-centric governance language
+    const westernGovernancePatterns = {
+      democracy: {
+        patterns: [/\bdemocrac(?:y|tic)\b/gi, /\bdemocratic\s+(?:governance|oversight|control)\b/gi],
+        concern: 'Democratic framing may have political connotations in autocratic contexts',
+        suggestion: 'Consider "participatory governance", "stakeholder input", or "inclusive decision-making"'
+      },
+      individual_rights: {
+        patterns: [/\bindividual\s+(?:rights|freedom|autonomy)\b/gi, /\bpersonal\s+freedom\b/gi],
+        concern: 'Individualistic framing may not resonate in collectivist cultures',
+        suggestion: 'Balance with "community wellbeing", "collective benefit", or "shared responsibility"'
+      },
+      western_ethics_only: {
+        patterns: [/\bethics\b(?!.*(?:diverse|pluralistic|multiple|indigenous))/gi],
+        concern: 'Implies universal Western ethics without acknowledging other frameworks',
+        suggestion: 'Reference "diverse ethical frameworks" or "culturally-grounded values"'
+      },
+      freedom_emphasis: {
+        patterns: [/\bfreedom\s+of\s+(?:speech|expression|press)\b/gi],
+        concern: 'Western rights discourse may be politically sensitive in some regions',
+        suggestion: 'Frame as "open communication" or "information access" if contextually appropriate'
+      }
+    };
+
+    // Indigenous/cultural insensitivity patterns
+    const culturalInsensitivityPatterns = {
+      western_only_governance: {
+        patterns: [/\bgovernance\b(?!.*(?:indigenous|te\s+tiriti|care\s+principles))/gi],
+        concern: 'Western governance frameworks only, excludes Indigenous perspectives',
+        suggestion: 'Acknowledge Indigenous governance (Te Tiriti, CARE principles, relational sovereignty)'
+      },
+      data_ownership_western: {
+        patterns: [/\bdata\s+(?:ownership|rights)\b(?!.*(?:sovereignty|collective))/gi],
+        concern: 'Individual data ownership framing conflicts with collective Indigenous data sovereignty',
+        suggestion: 'Reference "data sovereignty", "collective data rights", or "community data governance"'
+      }
+    };
+
+    // Check patterns
+    if (highRiskAudience || sensitiveTopics.length > 0) {
+      // Scan for Western-centric patterns
+      for (const [key, config] of Object.entries(westernGovernancePatterns)) {
+        for (const pattern of config.patterns) {
+          if (pattern.test(content)) {
+            assessment.culturally_sensitive = false;
+            assessment.concerns.push({
+              type: 'western_centric_framing',
+              pattern_key: key,
+              detail: config.concern,
+              audience_context: this._formatAudienceContext(audience, target_publications)
+            });
+            assessment.suggestions.push({
+              type: 'reframing',
+              original_concern: key,
+              suggestion: config.suggestion
+            });
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
+      // Scan for Indigenous insensitivity (if audience includes Indigenous communities)
+      if (this._isIndigenousAudience(audience, target_publications)) {
+        for (const [key, config] of Object.entries(culturalInsensitivityPatterns)) {
+          for (const pattern of config.patterns) {
+            if (pattern.test(content)) {
+              assessment.culturally_sensitive = false;
+              assessment.concerns.push({
+                type: 'indigenous_exclusion',
+                pattern_key: key,
+                detail: config.concern,
+                audience_context: 'Indigenous community or Te Tiriti context'
+              });
+              assessment.suggestions.push({
+                type: 'indigenous_inclusion',
+                original_concern: key,
+                suggestion: config.suggestion
+              });
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Determine risk level and recommended action
+    const highSeverityConcerns = assessment.concerns.filter(c =>
+      c.type === 'western_centric_framing' && highRiskAudience
+    );
+
+    if (assessment.concerns.length === 0) {
+      assessment.risk_level = 'LOW';
+      assessment.recommended_action = 'APPROVE';
+    } else if (highSeverityConcerns.length > 0 || assessment.concerns.length >= 3) {
+      assessment.risk_level = 'HIGH';
+      assessment.recommended_action = 'HUMAN_REVIEW';
+    } else {
+      assessment.risk_level = 'MEDIUM';
+      assessment.recommended_action = 'SUGGEST_ADAPTATION';
+    }
+
+    // Audit log
+    this._auditCulturalSensitivity(assessment).catch(error => {
+      logger.error('[PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator] Failed to audit cultural sensitivity check', {
+        error: error.message
+      });
+    });
+
+    logger.info('[PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator] Cultural sensitivity assessment complete', {
+      risk_level: assessment.risk_level,
+      concerns_count: assessment.concerns.length,
+      recommended_action: assessment.recommended_action
+    });
+
+    return assessment;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Identify if audience is high-risk for cultural insensitivity
+   * @private
+   */
+  _identifyHighRiskAudience(audience, target_publications = []) {
+    // Non-Western countries
+    const nonWesternCountries = ['CN', 'RU', 'SA', 'IR', 'VN', 'TH', 'ID', 'MY', 'PH'];
+    if (audience.country && nonWesternCountries.includes(audience.country)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    // Indigenous communities
+    if (audience.cultural_context && audience.cultural_context.includes('indigenous')) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    // Publications in non-Western regions
+    if (target_publications.some(pub => pub.region && !['Western', 'US', 'EU', 'NZ', 'AU', 'CA'].includes(pub.region))) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Detect sensitive topics in content
+   * @private
+   */
+  _detectSensitiveTopics(content) {
+    const topics = [];
+    const topicPatterns = {
+      values: /\b(?:values|ethics|morals?|principles)\b/gi,
+      governance: /\b(?:governance|democracy|rights|freedom)\b/gi,
+      religion: /\b(?:religion|spiritual|faith|belief)\b/gi,
+      politics: /\b(?:political|government|state|regime)\b/gi,
+      culture: /\b(?:culture|tradition|indigenous|tribal)\b/gi
+    };
+
+    for (const [topic, pattern] of Object.entries(topicPatterns)) {
+      if (pattern.test(content)) {
+        topics.push(topic);
+      }
+    }
+
+    return topics;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Check if audience is Indigenous
+   * @private
+   */
+  _isIndigenousAudience(audience, target_publications = []) {
+    if (audience.cultural_context && /indigenous|māori|aboriginal|first\s+nations/i.test(audience.cultural_context)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    if (target_publications.some(pub => pub.audience && /indigenous|māori/i.test(pub.audience))) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Format audience context for reporting
+   * @private
+   */
+  _formatAudienceContext(audience, target_publications) {
+    const parts = [];
+    if (audience.country) parts.push(`Country: ${audience.country}`);
+    if (audience.region) parts.push(`Region: ${audience.region}`);
+    if (audience.outlet) parts.push(`Outlet: ${audience.outlet}`);
+    if (target_publications.length > 0) {
+      parts.push(`Publications: ${target_publications.map(p => p.name).join(', ')}`);
+    }
+    return parts.join(' | ') || 'General audience';
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Audit cultural sensitivity check
+   * @private
+   */
+  async _auditCulturalSensitivity(assessment) {
+    try {
+      const memoryProxy = await getMemoryProxy();
+      const collection = await memoryProxy.getCollection('auditLogs');
+
+      await collection.insertOne({
+        timestamp: new Date(),
+        service: 'PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator',
+        action: 'cultural_sensitivity_check',
+        decision: assessment.recommended_action,
+        context: {
+          content_type: assessment.context.content_type,
+          audience: assessment.context.audience,
+          risk_level: assessment.risk_level,
+          concerns_count: assessment.concerns.length,
+          culturally_sensitive: assessment.culturally_sensitive
+        },
+        metadata: {
+          concerns: assessment.concerns,
+          suggestions: assessment.suggestions
+        }
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logger.error('[PluralisticDeliberationOrchestrator] Failed to create audit log', { error: error.message });
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * Get deliberation statistics
    * @returns {Object} Statistics object