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By David Rothman

Ernest MillerPodcasting may take off for real when the technology becomes part of iTunes and millions of iPod owners can tune in even if they are techno-dunces. Shouldn’t the U.S. Congress do something about this? No, no, Senator Hatch, I’m not saying ban it. In fact, cyberlaw expert Ernie Miller has a better idea–something that Congress could implement now or at least very soon:

Why doesn’t every single darn committee, subcommittee, whatever, have a podcast (in the future, broadcatch) of its hearings?

Why isn’t there a floor podcast?

How long will it take Congress to get a clue?

Might not this be something for former Congress member Newt Gingrich, my political opposite in many respects, to follow through on? While Speaker of the House, he used the Net to expand public access to Congress. But much remains to be done, and podcasts, especially of obscure but crucial committee hearings, not just floor debate, could go a long way. Perhaps the appeal will be out there.

–Progressives and liberals are sick and tired of lobbyists getting their way because so much goes on outside timely public scrutiny.

–The media could keep track of Capitol Hill activities with less time and money expended.

–If the conservative congressional leadership really believes that interested citizens should be able to get the full story–without any media biases in the way–then full podcasting of congressional activities would be an excellent way to help achieve such a goal.

–From Sean Hannity to Al Franken, talk show hosts could have a field day with sound bites. Yes, excerpts might end up out of context. But you can bet that ideological opposites would retaliate with their own versions.

I’d love to get some reactions to the Miller idea, not only from the States but elsewhere.

 
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