Journalistic sources convey information. - "Tagesschau" now offers a version in simplified language
Germany's renowned news program, "Tagesschau," has introduced a streamlined version. As announced by the North German Broadcasting Corporation (NDR) on Wednesday, this is the first nationwide current affairs television news service of its kind. The show will air one edition a day from Monday to Friday, highlighting the main news topics and can be viewed on tagesschau24 or tagesschau.de.
In contrast to the regular newscast, just four stories are chosen and thoroughly revised - no foreign words, minimal subordinate clauses, limited syllables, and concise phrases. Presenters and anchors adjust their pace to make it easier to comprehend.
NDR revealed that the simplified edition of "Tagesschau" targets people with reading difficulties, weak academic skills, or those who seek a brief and straightforward update after a taxing day. The project is in partnership with the University of Hildesheim.
Marcus Bornheim, first editor-in-chief of ARD-aktuell, said in an interview with dpa, "We have approximately 17 million adults in Germany who struggle with reading and writing," highlighting the importance of creating a comprehensive news program for everyone as part of public service.
The prospective viewers are diverse, Bornheim added, "People experiencing challenges in understanding complex content and texts, individuals facing illnesses - such as strokes - impacting their comprehension, and those who didn't learn German as their native language, making up a significant migration history. We aim to provide a 'Tagesschau' with simple language for all these groups."
Sonja Wielow, head of the project, explained to dpa, "We reverse the standard format of the regular 'Tagesschau' news report. We assume less prior knowledge, hence the need to begin with the general idea instead of the initial catchphrase. While simplifying everything, we must adhere to factual accuracy." For instance, Christian Lindner is not a Finance Minister but a "Minister of Money."
