The Hill News

On November 9, 2010, C-SPAN sent a letter to incoming House Speaker John Boehner renewing C-SPAN’s request on behalf of media organizations (and also made to earlier Speakers) to allow its cameras in the House chamber to add a journalistic element to the daily TV coverage of floor debate coverage, currently produced by government cameras controlled by the Speaker. On Feb. 3, 2011, Speaker Boehner replied by letter to C-SPAN Chairman and CEO Brian Lamb, denying the request. 

We’re disappointed to learn that despite 32 years of experience with televising its sessions and in an age of ubiquitous cameras in political life, the House of Representatives has chosen not to allow C-SPAN’s cameras into its chamber to cover its sessions. We continue to feel that the public is best served by seeing a more complete picture of the legisla! tive process than what’s delivered by Congressionally-controlled cameras and will continue to work with Speaker Boehner and other leaders in the House in hope of one day gaining access on behalf of the media. 

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