Teaching gender-inclusive language at RTS, Switzerland’s French-language public broadcaster

Switzerland has three main languages, French, German and Italian, with broadcasters catering for each language through their various programmes. The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation has recognized the need for diversity in gender equality and inclusive language.

The French-language wing of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, RTS, realized very early on that the French language, although very beautiful, also invites stereotypes because of its grammar, including the use of nouns flagged as masculine or feminine. 

This initiative stemmed originally from research by a group of women, who in 2020 began drafting a guidebook on how to avoid language stereotypes and diversify language within the organization. Because of its initial success, this guide since progressed to become a large-scale initiative designed to reach as many people as possible. 

The language initiative is designed to “look carefully” at the way we speak to avoid creating and reinforcing stereotypes and particularly to be more inclusive towards audiences.