Obama asks Dean to release the videos...Edwards asks the networks...correctly so.

[madfloridian]

Unless there is something I don't understand, the networks doing the debates have the control. The difference in how they wrote is vast.

Obama Asks Dean to Drop Restrictions on Debates

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is joining with top bloggers and technology leaders in asking the Democratic National Committee to make all video of Democratic presidential debates available for free after they air.

In a letter sent to DNC chairman Howard Dean earlier today, Obama suggests debate video should be placed in the public domain, or licensed under a Creative Commons (Attribution) license. Such licenses allow authors, musicians, producers, scientists, etc. to pick and choose the copyright freedoms to apply to their work.

The post even mentions Obama might not take part if Dean does not do this.

Well, many of the debates are done by the media groups. So this makes more sense.

Edwards to Networks: Free the Debates!

With a copy to Governor Dean at the DNC. Done as it should be done.

MoveOn just forwarded me a letter that John Edwards sent to the heads of the networks asking them to free the debates for our online use. Addressed to Jim Walton - CNN, Leslie Moonves - CBS, Jeffrey Zucker -- NBC Universal, Anne Sweeney -- Disney-ABC, Paula Kerger - PBS, and Howard Dean of the DNC, it says:

*****
Selecting a president is the most important responsibility Americans have. In an age of 30-second ads, 7-second sound bites and media consolidation, making an informed decision is harder than ever.That is why I am asking each news network to make video footage from the presidential debates that they broadcast available on the internet for the public to view and use responsibly. I am also asking Chairman Dean, who is playing a valuable role in organizing many of the Democratic primary debates, to use his influence with the networks to make the debates more broadly available.

The Creative Commons license terms offer an easy way to ensure that the networks' rights are protected. Much of the content on my own campaign web site is available under just such a license. Commercial constraints are severe enough in their effect in diluting the substance of our campaigns. Limiting access to long-form televised debates makes matters worse.

More at the link. Going to the right sources. Unless I am missing something those media groups are more likely to have the power to do this releasing.

[IamyourTVandIownyou]

1. These are the people's debates

The NASCAR advertising on the repubs backdrop, and the huge MSNBC Logo on the dems floor is no mistake. Thats their fallback position if the video does get out. (Might as well get some advertising out of this).


Man, I dont about you, but those Corporate Logos on the American Flag backdrop, was so fitting, yet so disrespectful. Eeeerrry.

[madfloridian]

2. I agree, but ask the proper people for the permission.

I think Edwards did it better in his letter.

[loyalsister]

3. Good deal

Obama's efforts makes these debates available to everyone who misses the debates- even people who don't have internet access.

Local Dem clubs and Grass roots organizations can organize debate watching parties to coincide with times when people have off work, etc. This is something that really helps people who are marginalized.
I know a lot of tons of people with no or limited internet access who miss these debates for those reasons.

[madfloridian]

4. Right. But he is only asking Dean. Edwards is asking the media...

and copying Dean on the letter. That is the proper way. The media control the videos when they have a debate.

[Solo_in_MD]

8. Depends on the contract. If the party is sponsoring it, they could well own the rights

For example, the rights to Monday Night Football is not owned by the network or the media, it is owned by the NFL

It is odd that given both are attorneys for them to have such different takes on who owns the rights to the debate.

[ellacott]

10. That is correct

I don't think it's a matter of who went to the right people. Both of them probably didn't go to all the people involved(the networks AND the DNC).

[FrenchieCat]

5. Who's on first, and who's on 2nd?

:wtf: ????

[madfloridian]

6. Here's the answer to the question you accused me of not answering.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1171

If I am wrong, show me.

[FrenchieCat]

7. Why answer me here

to a post on another thread? :crazy:

:wtf: ??

[ripple]

9. Actually, it makes sense to have them available at one central location

with the DNC web page being the obvious choice. The DNC owns rights to all of the debates. Networks purchase the right to televise the debates, but they are still property of the DNC.

Obama is right about this.

[Adelante]

11. Perhaps Obama is showing Dean the respect

due him.

[IA_Seth]

12. Who cares?

I mean, really, does it matter who asked who? Does that actually influence anything?

The story will be when releases are made, not who asked who to make it so.