Parliament on Youtube campaign

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Our View Unlock Democracy wholeheartedly supports the campaign to allow clips of parliamentary debates to be shown on Youtube and other video sharing sites. Like many campaigning organisations, and all the main political parties, we already have a Youtube channel where we publicise our work. Why should MPs not be able to do the same? Fundamentally it is about making information as accessible as possible. Parliament has the opportunity to engage with technology rather than lagging behind as they have in the past. We hope they take it.

On 20 March 2008 Jo Swinson MP asked the House of Commons Commission about the rules governing the use of material provided by the parliamentary recording unit and in particular why it is not possible to put clips up on Youtube.

Nick Harvey MP responded on behalf of the House of Commons Commission

The rules largely date back to the regulations that govern the admission of cameras to the Chamber. The Member may use only material featuring themselves or a reply from a Minister to their question and contributions to the debate on an issue raised by the Member. The clip should display the portcullis logo, and the Member should acknowledge copyright and ensure that the material is not downloadable. Members may use recordings of proceedings on their own parliamentary website, but not on any third party hosting website.

Jo Swinson MP added that

Parliament should be embracing new technology as a way to reconnect with the public. Is it not about time that we ditched the ridiculous ban on parliamentary clips being shown on YouTube? Sites such as YouTube are popular and accessible; if there is a copyright issue, will the House authorities review the current contracts and bring Parliament into the 21st century?

Facebook campaign launched

Jo SwinsonMP has launched a campaign to overturn the ban imposed by Parliamentary authorities on putting up footage on YouTube or other video streaming sites.

Although MPs are allowed to take footage of the House of Commons in action and put it on their own website, they are not allowed to put that footage on YouTube or similar sites and the rules are unclear and inconsistent.

Jo Swinson says: "The more people see what goes on in Parliament, the better, which is why I am pushing for the rules to be changed. There may be copyright issues involved, and if so these should be re-examined at with a view to making Parliament as accessible as possible.

"In some sections of society YouTube is watched more widely than television. We have BBC Parliament and some online hosting on MPs’ own websites, but why stop there?

"This is fundamentally an issue about Parliament reforming itself to keep up-to-date with modern technology."

EDM tabled

On 2nd April EDM 1319 Viewing Paeliamentary Proceedings Online was tabled.

That this House notes the imperative to maximise turnout at general elections and address the issues behind instances of low turnout, particularly among young people; believes that the public's engagement with politics would be improved by wider viewing of proceedings in Parliament; notes that there is currently a ban on the posting of parliamentary video clips on websites described by the relevant authorities as `third party hosting websites'; believes that video footage of parliamentary proceedings should be made available to the public on video hosting websites such as YouTube; notes that online viewing is increasing in popularity, with a 2006 ICM survey finding that 43 per cent. of people in the UK are watching less television as a result of increased online viewing; and calls for parliamentary authorities to review current broadcasting arrangements so that footage of parliament can be widely viewed by the electorate using the internet