PUBLIC INFORMATION
Perry soon to Webcast press conferences, aide says
By W. Gardner Selby
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, August 01, 2008
Webcasts of Gov. Rick Perry's Capitol news conferences could start soon, though a spokesman cautioned Thursday that details are not settled.
"We're in the testing stage," said Robert Black, Perry's press secretary.
Black said last year that he saw no advantage to having Perry's news conferences distributed and archived online. Doing so, Black said, could diminish the office's ability to "control the message and distribution of the message."
"Before you know it," he said then, "you'd have it on YouTube, and someone putting music to it."
Black later said the idea would be studied. This week, Black said the governor's office soon will roll out a revamped Web site, including a feature capable of streaming live video of Perry's news conferences in the press room near his Capitol office.
Black said Thursday that he is still concerned about controlling the content of the video feeds; he expects that content on the revamped Web site will be protected from manipulation.
The Texas House and Senate have made videos of hearings and news events at the Capitol available online for years.
Black said a permanent camera will not be placed in the room out of concern that meetings not intended to be public might be shown.
wgselby@statesman.com; 445-3644
