Enterprise AI Analysis
Mapping Current Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities in E2U News: A Survey of European Organisations
"Easy-to-understand” (E2U) is a term encompassing different language varieties that aim to make information more comprehensible. Although interest in this field has grown significantly in recent years, the focus has been on written formats. Given the role of journalism and that access to information is a universal human right, news should be understandable for everyone. Taking this into account and considering the research gap in relation to easy-to-understand journalism, the aim of our study is to identify current practices, challenges and opportunities in the field.
Executive Impact Summary
Our analysis reveals a growing interest in offering E2U content across Europe, with varied adoption rates and significant areas for improvement, particularly in funding, training, and the adoption of born-accessible approaches. AI tools show promise but require further research and integration with professional expertise.
0%
Organizations currently offering E2U news.
0%
Organizations planning to expand E2U news offers.
0%
Organizations legally obligated to provide E2U news.
Deep Analysis & Enterprise Applications
Select a topic to dive deeper, then explore the specific findings from the research, rebuilt as interactive, enterprise-focused modules.
Offer & Distribution
Audience & Engagement
Workflows & Challenges
E2U News Offer and Distribution Landscape
The survey reveals a significant focus on written formats (54%) for E2U news, although audiovisual formats are preferred by organizations planning new offers (56%). The web is the predominant distribution channel (91%) for current E2U news, with streaming platforms also gaining traction. Geographically, initiatives vary, with Nordic countries showing established practices and countries like Latvia and Spain demonstrating pioneering efforts, often driven by associations for persons with disabilities.
Key findings highlight that most organizations began offering E2U news within the last five years, indicating a nascent but growing field. While some public broadcasters offer diverse content across multiple formats and languages, many still rely on specific online platforms or collaborations with associations.
Target Audiences and Feedback Mechanisms
Traditional E2U target groups remain primary: persons with cognitive disabilities (24%), learning difficulties (23%), and reading difficulties (20%). However, there's a growing awareness that E2U content benefits a broader audience, including older people, children, and language learners. Only 59% of organizations actively gather audience feedback, citing resource limitations as a barrier, yet many express a willingness to improve engagement.
Audience reach varies significantly, with public broadcasters reaching hundreds of thousands, while many associations serve smaller, member-specific groups. This disparity points to challenges in promotion and wider distribution for smaller initiatives.
Production Workflows and Operational Challenges
A significant majority (82%) of organizations adapt existing news rather than creating born-accessible E2U content from scratch. Journalists and communication technicians are the primary content creators. Training for professionals is common (82% received some form of training), though the need for specific, unified guidelines is consistently highlighted.
AI is used by 53% of organizations to assist in writing, summarizing, and error identification, but concerns about its limitations and the need for human review persist. Major challenges include a lack of dedicated funding, the difficulty in balancing journalistic accuracy with simplification, and the need for greater public and professional awareness of E2U's value.
Enterprise Process Flow: E2U News Survey Methodology
Survey Design
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Data Collection
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Data Analysis
91%
of organizations currently offering E2U news use the Web as a primary distribution channel.
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Case Study: Austrian Broadcasting Corporation's E2U Initiatives
The Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) stands out as a leader in E2U news provision, offering a wide variety of content in written, audio, and audiovisual formats. ORF produces daily written news articles in collaboration with an inclusive editorial team, airs weekly radio news programs, and broadcasts a 5-minute audiovisual news overview on weekdays.
Crucially, ORF is legally obliged to continuously increase its accessible audiovisual content, including E2U language, under the Federal Act on Austrian Broadcasting (ORF Act). This mandate ensures a sustained commitment to accessibility, setting a benchmark for other European public broadcasters.
Their integrated approach, blending internal production with collaborations, demonstrates a comprehensive strategy for E2U content delivery across diverse platforms.
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Your E2U AI Implementation Roadmap
A phased approach to integrate AI for enhanced E2U news production, addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities.
Phase 1: Discovery & Strategy (1-3 Months)
Objective: Assess current E2U practices, identify specific needs, and define AI integration goals. Conduct stakeholder interviews and analyze existing workflows. Research and select appropriate AI tools for simplification, translation, and content generation, prioritizing solutions that align with E2U guidelines.
Phase 2: Pilot & Training (3-6 Months)
Objective: Implement AI tools in a controlled pilot environment. Develop custom training programs for journalists and communication teams on using AI for E2U content creation and adaptation. Establish clear workflows for AI-assisted content production, including human oversight for accuracy and adherence to guidelines.
Phase 3: Integration & Optimization (6-12 Months)
Objective: Roll out AI tools across relevant departments. Continuously monitor AI performance and gather feedback from end-users and professionals. Refine AI models and workflows based on performance data and emerging E2U best practices. Explore born-accessible design principles from the outset for new content streams.
Phase 4: Expansion & Advocacy (Ongoing)
Objective: Expand AI-supported E2U services to new formats and distribution channels (e.g., audio, audiovisual, live content). Advocate for unified E2U standards and increased funding at national and European levels. Foster collaboration with disability organizations and research institutions to drive innovation and ensure user-centric development.
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