FAQs
What are the hyperlinks in the listings?
Scheduled events are comprised of two parts: the proper title of the proceeding and the information about it. Currently, FedNet provides timely, accurate listings of floor debates and hearings as below. The title of a legislative session links to a free, live, Windows Media stream of each house when it is in session. Bills under consideration are conveniently linked directly to the Library of Congress’s wonderful THOMAS summary page for each wherein users can easily find the status, text and legislative action for every bill.
How is your coverage determined?
FedNet determines its daily hearing coverage based on the following criteria: (1) Newsworthiness, (2) Legislative import, (3) Oversight and Governance, and (4) Popular or societal interest, such as general social issues or celebrity witnesses.
When do I know about upcoming coverage?
As soon as additional information becomes available from the respective committees, FedNet updates its own listing, striving to keep any scheduling changes to a minimum, and subscribers are informed through our automated e-mail daily listing service.
*Cancellations, postponements and other variations are occasionally made by the respective committee chairmen based on that chamber’s schedule or other determining factors. FedNet makes every effort to provide users with the most relevant, most newsworthy coverage each day.
Can I watch the hearing streaming video live on the FedNet site?
From time to time FedNet will stream live streaming coverage of popular hearings from our homepage. Mobile users can watch live events from around the Capitol on VUGUV, our committed mobile streaming video of Congress for the “wireless public”.
What is RSS?
Why is it the preferred method of notifying me of new content? “Really Simply Syndication” is a web feed format used to publish frequently updated works. Our RSS feed syndicates our listings, for subscribers who require timely updates of information relevant to active news making. RSS feeds can be read using software called an “RSS reader”, “feed reader”, or “aggregator”, which can be web-based, desktop-based, or mobile-device-based. The user subscribes to a feed by entering into the reader the feed’s URL or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. Once the subscriber has set the time interval by which the RSS reader checks the feeds regularly for new work, it downloads any updates that it finds, granting the user an optimal interface to monitor and read the feeds.
Repeatedly checking each website to see if there is any new content can be very tedious. An RSS subscription allows you to get up to date information for free without having to continuously check a particular Web page – notice is sent directly to your RSS Reader program with a short description that can be viewed at your leisure.
Who is watching your coverage?
Engaged citizens; Print and Online Journalists, Radio and TV Journalists, Freelance Journalists, Researchers and Librarians, Students, Legislators.
What is the quality of the footage?
Heeding market demands for the latest high quality video formats as the broadcast industry transitions to high definition, FedNet encodes all of its content in broadcast quality MPEG before transcoding to a desired digital format. Requested coverage is done to specification.
Can I broadcast FedNet’s hearing footage on air?
FedNet provides content in broadcast quality with licensure for video and audio-only transmission. As a credentialed media organization on Capitol Hill, we can provide live syndication to bona fide news outlets around the country. In fact, FedNet’s digital footage has been used on air by some of the most distinguished newsmagazine shows and cinematic documentarians.
Can you cover an event for my organization on the Hill?
FedNet handles requests regularly to cover events for news and other clients. Give us a call at (202) 393-7300 and we will arrange to fulfill your request professionally, from getting the shots you need to transmission as you require.
I need a clip from an event held five years ago.
FedNet possesses thousands of floor debates, press conferences and committee hearings dating back to the Impeachment proceedings of President Bill Clinton. Give us a call at (202) 393-7300 and we will arrange to fulfill your request, assisting you at each step from timely retrieval to deadline.
