C-SPAN Dazzles by Putting Its Archives Online

C-SPAN has again shown that presenting clear, complete information from primary sources and serving the public interest are its central motivations.

Unlike other news outlets, C-SPAN under Brian Lamb has sought to bring the full story, unedited and uncensored, to the American people. C-SPAN shows uncut speeches and events. It is not only the preeminent video source on books but arguably the most serious book review source period. No other media outlet has more information on books available every week.

Now C-SPAN is making its vast video archives, including Book TV, available online for free at:

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary

There are over 160,000 hours of programming available and complete files going back to 1987. The video archives are searchable--making them even more valuable.

Programs are indexed by subject, speaker names, titles, affiliations, sponsors, committees, categories, formats, policy groups, keywords, and location. The congressional sessions and committee hearings are indexed by person with full-text. The video collection can be searched through the online Video Library.

The snarky New York Times sees this as a massive "gotcha" file:

The online archives reinforce what some would call the Web’s single best quality: its ability to recall seemingly every statement and smear. And it is even more powerful when the viewer can rewind the video.

However, it really is the video equivalent of putting the Library of Congress online--a marvel obviously lost on the New York Times.

Kudos to Brian Lamb and C-SPAN for deepening their legacy of public interest contributions.