“Important concern” – that’s how the ORF employees should speak in the future

For example, “perfect” is naming the masculine and feminine form or alternating between them. Employees should refrain from constructions such as “Frauschaft” or the Glottisschlag – a short pause before the female ending – in the spoken word.

Gender equality important to 77%
The recommendations have been revised by an ORF working group, which also included the results of an integrated study. According to this report, 77 percent of 1,000 people rated equality for all genders as very or fairly important. The topic is more relevant to younger respondents and women than to men and older people. 59 percent of those surveyed believe that the ORF has a role model function and should therefore communicate in a gender-honest way.

When it comes to reporting, the highest degree of agreement (72 percent of those surveyed) is given to the naming of masculine and feminine forms – such as colleagues. Group designations such as ‘the audience’ rather than personal designations such as ‘the viewers’ are very or fairly good for 68 percent.

Little agreement for a short break for the female ending
In contrast, a short pause for the female ending when speaking could only be approved by 37 percent of those surveyed. The use of symbols such as an asterisk, colon or underscore is hardly more popular (40 percent).

Special characters only in social networks
The ORF only tolerates special characters in the written word in social networks, specific websites such as fm4.ORF.at (“ORF.at is excluded”) or in emails. The slash (“participants”), on the other hand, is problematic. If the length of an infix precludes gender-appropriate language, use of the feminine or masculine form is allowed. If the proportion of females is high, the female form should be considered according to the recommendation.