Congressional Video In Vogue
Yesterday's buzz over the Republican Study Committee's allegations that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was infringing C-Span's intellectual property rights begged for a follow-up. So, Tech Daily Dose scanned some RSC members' Web sites to see what video sources they were using.
Keep in mind that no determinations were made about the legitimacy of the video being offered (For all we know, they might have received permission to post the clips). You should also know that the RSC backed off its claims later in the day.
Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia and Florida's Cliff Stearns posted C-Span House floor footage, just like Pelosi. Rep. Connie Mack of Florida put a selection of CNN, CNBC and Fox News Channel interviews online. Colorado's Tom Tancredo also posted interviews from MSNBC, Fox News Channel, Bloomberg Television and CBS's "60 Minutes."
RSC spokesman Brad Dayspring said Friday that his office does not offer guidance to lawmakers on acceptable use of video "but if a member reached out and had questions we would do our best to put them in touch with the proper people who make those decisions."
A number of lawmakers, including Reps. Robert Aderholt of Alabama; Patrick McHenry of North Carolina; Tom Price of Georgia; and Lamar Smith of Texas, employ FedNet's reCap service. FedNet CEO Keith Carney said about 130 members of the House and Senate use his firm to post floor speeches on their official congressional sites.
Carney pointed out that lawmakers that contract with FedNet are barred from using the clips for political purposes, like on campaign sites or to besmirch other members. The footage also has technological protections that prevent it from being recorded or repurposed elsewhere like on video-sharing site YouTube.
Meanwhile, my editor posted blogger reactions to the Pelosi controversy at the Beltway Blogroll. Some conservative blogs, like Capital Briefs and GOP Bloggers, were quick to jump on the accusation bandwagon. Liberal blogs Daily Kos and MyDD blamed C-Span for the controversy.
Read more about this story in today's P.M. Edition.
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