Following the controversy over a sketch on the RTBF's 'Le Grand Cactus' programme that parodied Indochine’s song '3e sexe,' the French-language broadcaster announced on Friday that it had met with representatives of LGBTQIA+ communities.
The meeting, aimed at “restoring trust,” was “marked by a rich, frank, and constructive dialogue,” the RTBF said in a statement.
This open discussion allowed for the sharing and analysis of lived experiences, particularly concerning discriminatory remarks and violence reported by many individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community, it added.
A list of actions has been developed for both short- and long-term implementation, the RTBF disclosed, emphasising the importance of maintaining ongoing dialogue.
The controversy began after a segment was aired on the 'Tipik' programme on 19 September, in which where Belgian comedian Damien Gillard and French comedian Cécile Giroud performed a song titled 'le 128e sexe,' a reference to Indochine’s '3e sexe.'
On Monday, the Higher Audiovisual Council, CSA, reported a significant number of complaints regarding the broadcast and decided to launch an investigation.
“It is time for television channels to take responsibility and stop promoting content that, even under the guise of parody, fosters discrimination," Walloon LGBTQIA+ federation Prisme said in a statement. Humour that stigmatises marginalised groups is neither neutral nor harmless; it reinforces existing systems of oppression,”the organisation said on Tuesday.
Initially, the RTBF had responded by stating that there was “no intention to harm and that it was a parody broadcast as part of a satirical show.”
On Wednesday, the RTBF apologised and expressed openness to in-depth dialogue with represenatives of diversity associations.