Uploading Parliamentary debates to YouTube is currently banned. But why?
Why should debates in our Parliament not be "allowed" to be put on YouTube or other video-sharing websites?
I agree completely with Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson when she said:
Parliament should be embracing new technology as a way of reconnecting with the public, so isn't it about time we ditched the ridiculous ban on parliamentary clips being shown on YouTube?
Sites like YouTube are popular and accessible, so if there is a copyright issue will the House authorities review the current contract [with the company that films proceedings] and bring Parliament into the 21st Century?
Parliament belongs to us, the people, and so should the official filming of any and every debate held in it.Sites like YouTube are popular and accessible, so if there is a copyright issue will the House authorities review the current contract [with the company that films proceedings] and bring Parliament into the 21st Century?
If Parliament wants to connect with the people, then it has to do so fully, by allowing the use of video of it in session by the people! Besides, it's not like they can stop them being put on it, really. But this current way just means that only the politically partisan bits are uploaded by political fanatics, rather than it all being available for everyone to see.
