Es gibt Personengruppen, die aufgrund sprachlicher Einschränkungen Schwierigkeiten haben, Nachrichtenangebote in Standardsprache zu verstehen. Trotz der Existenz bestehender vereinfachter Varietäten des Deutschen wie Einfache Sprache und Leichte Sprache fehlen in Deutschland umfassende tägliche Nachrichtenangebote für sprachlich beeinträchtigte Menschen. Gestützt auf Erkenntnisse aus Teilhabe‑, Verständlichkeits- und Medienrepertoire-Forschung erhob die vorliegende Studie daher die Erwartungen von Menschen mit kognitiven Einschränkungen, von älteren Demenzerkrankten und von Migrant*innen mit geringen Deutschkenntnissen hinsichtlich eines Nachrichtenangebots in leicht verständlicher Sprache. Mittels 19 qualitativer Leitfadeninterviews wurden detaillierte Einblicke in die individuellen Erfahrungen, Erwartungen und Wünsche der Befragten in Bezug auf Nachrichtenangebote gewonnen. Es wurde deutlich, dass neben dem sprachlichen Aspekt auch weitere Dimensionen wie Inhalt, Zugänglichkeit und Gestaltung von zentraler Bedeutung sind. Dabei wurden spezifische Barrieren und Erwartungen identifiziert, die die Gestaltung eines solchen Angebots beeinflussen könnten, und festgestellt, dass seitens der Befragten generell großes Interesse an einem täglichen Nachrichtenangebot in leicht verständlicher Sprache besteht. Die Studie bietet Anknüpfungspunkte sowohl für die Forschung als auch für die journalistische Praxis. Die Entwicklung eines Nachrichtenangebots in leicht verständlicher Sprache könnte das Bedürfnis der heterogenen Zielgruppen nach selbstständiger Information über tagesaktuelles Geschehen sprachlich eingeschränkter Menschen in Deutschland erfüllen und darüber hinaus einen Beitrag zur gesellschaftlichen Teilhabe leisten.

Understanding the news in standard language presents significant challenges for various groups in Germany, including individuals with cognitive impairments, elderly people with dementia, and migrants with limited German proficiency. Despite the existence of simplified language versions like Easy Language and Plain Language, there was no comprehensive daily news service in easy-to-understand language until the launch of tagesschau in Easy Language in June 2024. While previous efforts existed, such as regional or limited-scope news offerings, a gap remained in providing a wide-reaching, daily service. This study explores the expectations of these primary target groups regarding news in easy-to-understand language through 19 guided interviews. The article underscores the importance of comprehensible news offerings, supported by models from participation research, comprehensibility research and media repertoire studies.

The findings reveal that beyond linguistic barriers, factors like content relevance, accessibility, and presentation are crucial. Respondents showed a keen interest in a daily news service in easy-to-understand language, emphasizing the need for clearly structured, visually supported content. The interviewees identified specific barriers and expectations influencing the design of such news offerings. One significant aspect is the simplification of language. Participants highlighted the importance of avoiding technical jargon and foreign words, which often hinder comprehension. They expressed a preference for a respectful and non-patronizing tone in simplified language. Opinions on gender-sensitive language varied, with some appreciating its inclusion for respect and representation, while others found it unnecessary or disruptive to the flow of information.

Content is another critical dimension. The target groups desire a diverse range of topics to cover a broad spectrum of interests. Participants also stressed the need for clarity in political and economic topics, areas that are often perceived as too complex. There is a particular interest in including more positive news to balance the often negative perceived tone of standard news reports. Additionally, providing clear context and background information is essential to help these audiences understand the news better. This approach ensures that the news is not only simplified linguistically but also enriched with sufficient explanatory details to make it more accessible.

Accessibility emerged as another vital factor in the study. The wish to access news through multiple channels, including television, radio, and online platforms, was also expressed. Technical support features, such as text-to-speech functions, can aid in making news content more accessible to those with cognitive or linguistic impairments. Respondents mentioned the importance of these features in helping them independently access and understand news.

The presentation of news also plays a significant role in enhancing comprehension. The use of images, infographics, and short videos was frequently mentioned as helpful tools for making content more understandable. Participants appreciated clear and consistent structures with short paragraphs and concise headlines, which support them in better navigation and understanding of the news. These visual and structural elements help to break down information into manageable pieces, making it easier for the target groups to follow and comprehend the news.

The insights from this study offer valuable starting points for both research and journalistic practice, tailoring newscasts to the needs of people of the mentioned target groups. The results indicate an urgent need for easily understandable news formats and further research in this area. By addressing the specific requirements of these groups, access to specifically tailored news can improve their quality of life and promote social inclusion.

Future research could focus on observations of users to provide insights into how these groups engage with news content and where comprehension difficulties arise. Additionally, collaborations with newsrooms and editorial teams could explore efficient production methods and journalistic routines for such news formats, potentially utilizing AI-based translation tools to convert standard language texts into easy-to-understand versions.