Fort Boyard" show broadcast on France 2: response to a submission of a case before the court

The Association des personnes de petite taille (APPT) lodged a complaint with Arcom concerning the Fort Boyard program shown during the summer on France 2. The submission of a case before the court was prompted by the appearance of a new character, played by a short person.

It did not find that France Télévisions had failed to meet its obligations in terms of respect for human dignity, fight agains discrimination and representation of diversity on the air.

Nevertheless, it noted that the existence in the program of a category of characters, known as "Passes", played exclusively by short people and almost devoid of speaking parts, as well as the fact that no other type of role was entrusted to them, could be perceived as a form of summons of these people to their handicap.

While highlighting the initiatives taken by France Télévisions to improve the representation of people with disabilities in its programs, and more particularly those of short stature, the Authority has decided to write to the company to encourage it to be attentive to the characteristics of the drama roles entrusted to actors with disabilities in the program Fort Boyard, in line with the principles set out in the charter of December 3, 2019.