Quoting practices in Easy Finnish television news reporting of the COVID-19 pandemic

The global health crisis caused by the Coronavirus increased considerably the need for accessible communication for minoritized groups, including migrants, refugees, and people with intellectual disabilities (Piller et al. 2020). In Finland, it is estimated that 11%–14% of the population need Easy Language in their daily lives. Easy Languages are modified language forms aimed at people who have difficulties understanding standard language. (Leskelä 2021.)
Our presentation, informed by media linguistics (Perrin 2017), is centered on Easy Finnish television news coverage of the epidemic and, specifically, on news about the restrictions issued during the first wave. We examine the practices through which the authorities, experts, and lay people are given voice to (de)legitimate and discuss the restrictions. We consider the division of labor between direct and indirect quoting and the practices of recontextualization (see, Ekström 2001). Of particular interest are the direct quotes as they may not be accessible to the target groups.
Our data consist of 72 Easy Finnish news items broadcast by Finland’s public service television (Yleisradio) between January and June in 2020.