RTS in French-speaking Switzerland issues guidelines for the wearing of symbols
Journalists reporting on the ground for French-speaking Swiss radio and television (RTS) are not allowed to show personal convictions with their clothing. with their clothing. RTS issued rules following the application of a woman who wanted to work at the radio station wearing a headscarf.
Journalists conducting research on location, conducting interviews, attending media conferences or appearing on screen are therefore generally not allowed to show personal convictions with items of clothing. However, this is not just about religion. Political symbols or signs of affiliation to associations are also affected by the ban. RTS Head of Communications Manon Romerio confirmed reports from the French-speaking Swiss newspapers 24 Heures and Tribune de Genève on Friday.
However, symbols such as the red ribbon, which is considered a sign of solidarity with AIDS patients, may be worn. It stands for a health issue of public interest, the spokesperson explained. RTS had initially wanted to wait for national guidelines from SRG. In an interview with the NZZ am Sonntag, its new Director General Roger de Weck described such a regulation as unnecessary as long as one case has to be clarified every leap year with 6,100 employees. As long as it is a matter of rare individual cases, it is up to the line managers to use common sense.
The Muslim applicant did not get the job at French-speaking Swiss radio because, according to de Weck, other candidates were better qualified.
