FedNet begins recurring live Internet coverage of the U.S. Congress
FedNet launched a Web service carrying live audio from congressional proceedings, including House and Senate floor activity, news conferences and committee hearings.
Historical context
One-time Internet broadcasts of political events had already demonstrated the technology, but there was not yet a mature system for routine online access to legislative proceedings. Streaming audio required far less bandwidth than video and was therefore well suited to speech-heavy government coverage.
What happened
The service began on September 17, 1996, and used RealAudio to make congressional audio available through ordinary Internet connections. Unlike earlier one-off experiments, FedNet was structured as a continuing source of live public-affairs programming.
Consequences
FedNet helped shift political webcasting from isolated demonstrations toward an ongoing service. It anticipated the routine live government feeds, searchable archives and direct institutional streaming that later became normal parts of online civic access.
Related people
Sources
- WADING INTO STREAM OF CAPITOL DISCOURSEThe Washington Post
- Internet and ComputersU.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives