A recent UNC report looking at information deficits in North Carolina recommends a state C-SPAN station to allow better insight into lawmaking in Raleigh.
The report is highlighted in a Columbia Journalism Review article published Friday. Writer Andria Krewson observers that the dearth of statehouse reporters to track the N.C. General Assembly -- especially in the whirlwind final few days of session -- was compounded by the ongoing primary campaign and the looming Democratic National Convention.
She writes: "Enter a proposal for a statewide C-SPAN-style service—online, on-demand, and searchable. The concept gained traction during a January workshop hosted by UNC’s Center for Media Law and Policy to address issues raised by the FCC report, “Information Needs of Communities,” and emerged as the leading recommendation in a report issued by UNC’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication in June.
"The hope is that such a service could make it easier for journalists, citizens, and other watchdogs to keep an eye on what’s happening in the state capital, without filters from intermediaries like lobbying organizations or even, in some cases, traditional media."
It's a big ask, as the article notes. For one, the legislative chambers and committee room action isn't even captured by cameras now. Only audio is available. Click here for the full article.
Comments
My point
July 6, 2012 - 10:47pm — btushaI would endorse the idea, my question is how come now and not earlier?????
A 'NEW' IDEA 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING
July 6, 2012 - 6:52pm — eemurrayThe late founding director of the North Carolina Agency for Public Telecommucations (APT), Ms. Lee Wing, her successors and staff at APT, and others in NC state government championed this same concept and led many efforts over the past 30 years to establish C-SPAN-style coverage of the NC General Assembly.
OPEN/net, a weekly TV program produced by APT and supported by NC cable television leaders and elected officials for nearly three decades, was a nationally recognized model for providing -- through television and later online -- unfiltered, interactive public access to, and information about, NC state government, its lawmakers and public officials. Unfortunately, and for as many decades, our state's highest legislative and adminstrative leaders in Raleigh have yet to prove to be as visionary as Ms. Wing and others -- including the US Congress and the cable industry -- have been about using television and online technologies to enable more open and accessible government.
It is more than ironic that this leading recommendation from a UNC report comes just two months after NC Department of Administration officials ended OPEN/net and closed APT -- the sole state agency for 32 years that had been staffed, equipped, dedicated, in planning, and best positioned to implement C-SPAN-style coverage of the legislature. The demise of APT and its loss to the state is referenced in the UNC report, noting "North Carolina has the dubious distinction of being the largest state in the nation without a [C-SPAN-syle] channel, and the recent closing of ... APT has added urgency to the issue for advocates who’ve worked 30 years to create one."
North Carolinians all should endorse this proposal from UNC’s School of Journalism and call on our state elected officials to finally implement the same form of modern democracy that our Congress has provided for the nation all since 1979. If NC officials truly believe we are a progressive state, here is an ideal opportunity to demonstrate that belief.
Esse quam videri, remember?
"...or filters like....."
July 6, 2012 - 4:27pm — AgentPierce".... or filters like traditional media." Holy Cow ! Say it ain't so. Give the viewing public a first-hand view of a Deborah Ross filibluster rant. Oh Boy, Oh Boy !!! "Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."
Anything a C-Span type camera would see is already open to the public. Very few bother to attend now. CurtisMedia already offers StateGovernment Radio.... very few tune-in to listen to the sessions.
Finding a producer/moderator as truly non-partisan as a Brian Lamb would be the first hurdle. No McClatchy, Jim Goodmon, or UNC-TV employees need apply.
A wonderful idea
July 6, 2012 - 4:09pm — btushaI think it is a wonderful idea to put the legislature on display. My only question is: Why has not anyone thought of this before? C Span has been on the air since 1979. I have an answer and it is because the legislature is now under Republican control. The University system has been a tool of the long standing corrupt Democrat machine, just like this newspaper. If I am wrong or dimented please show proof of where I am wrong and dimented.