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WisEye will shine bright light on government
By Hillary Wundrow
Daily News staff writer
WisconsinEye, the state's first public affairs network, could be up and running by Tuesday, according to network executive Chris Long.
The C-SPAN style network will broadcast state Assembly and Senate proceedings. WisconsinEye is partnering with Charter and Time Warner digital cable systems. Long said that the two cable giants cover about 60 percent of the state's population. About half of those subscribers have digital cable.
“It's gavel-to-gavel coverage,” Long said. “We want to replicate the experience of walking into one of the chambers and watching the proceedings.”
Long noted that WisconsinEye started broadcasting live footage on the Internet at www.wiseye.org last month. Anyone with Internet access, including those using library terminals, can view the proceedings. Libraries in Wisconsin will then archive the proceedings.
WisconsinEye also is filming two sessions at the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce's Second Annual Food Expo held today at Blackhawk Technical College. Sessions to be broadcast will include a discussion on “Food versus Fuels” by Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilestuen and “Food Trends and Marketing” facilitated by Joe Borchardt of Kerry Ingredients.
ABC Supply Co. President Ken Hendricks and Vice President Diane Hendricks along with other donors are helping to finance the private venture. Ken and Diane Hendricks contributed $1 million toward the network.
Although there are many state public affairs networks, Diane Hendricks said WisconsinEye is the first privately funded program.
That's a big deal.
“It's important not only because taxpayers don't have to support it, but in terms of the independence in coverage,” Long said. “The state shouldn't cover itself.”
WisconsinEye was incorporated in 1999. From the beginning, the legislature wanted to ensure it was a private venture and not taxpayer funded.
Diane Hendricks said she and Ken became interested in it about three years ago. Because most people don't see their officials except during election year, Hendricks said it was important to give people the opportunity to see government in action.
Watching proceedings will also educate both children and adults how government operates. Diane Hendricks hopes that in the future the coverage will be used in schools.
“I don't think we as Americans take our government seriously,” Diane Hendricks said. “C-SPAN is too far removed. Here we are talking about seeing people from our county. People will recognize these faces and take more of an interest in government.”
WisconsinEye has a budget of $750,000 which will grow to $1 million. The organization has 11 full-time employees.
“We hope expand our coverage at the Capitol, adding additional equipment and staff. Our primary mission is to give unedited gavel-to-gavel coverage,” Long said.
In time, the network might offering expert commentary to help give people some context and perspective of the proceedings. Long said those at WisconsinEye would also consider different distribution avenues such as satellite.
WisconsinEye will not hone in on people seated or their expressions, which some say should be covered.
Because the legislature entrusts WisconsinEye with a great deal of responsibility and decision making, Long said the cameras will primarily stay with the presiding officer and the recognized speaker.
Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, said filming proceedings will help maintain decorum and respect among legislators. She called WisconsinEye a positive development.
“The more we can include the public in our deliberations and keep them informed, the better democracy is,” Robson said.
WisconsinEye will be carried on stations in Madison, Janesville and Beloit upon its start and in the La Crosse, Wausau and Fond du Lac areas in August. The channel numbers will be added to WisconsinEye's Web site once the details are finalized with the cable companies.
The C-SPAN style network will broadcast state Assembly and Senate proceedings. WisconsinEye is partnering with Charter and Time Warner digital cable systems. Long said that the two cable giants cover about 60 percent of the state's population. About half of those subscribers have digital cable.
“It's gavel-to-gavel coverage,” Long said. “We want to replicate the experience of walking into one of the chambers and watching the proceedings.”
Long noted that WisconsinEye started broadcasting live footage on the Internet at www.wiseye.org last month. Anyone with Internet access, including those using library terminals, can view the proceedings. Libraries in Wisconsin will then archive the proceedings.
WisconsinEye also is filming two sessions at the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce's Second Annual Food Expo held today at Blackhawk Technical College. Sessions to be broadcast will include a discussion on “Food versus Fuels” by Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilestuen and “Food Trends and Marketing” facilitated by Joe Borchardt of Kerry Ingredients.
ABC Supply Co. President Ken Hendricks and Vice President Diane Hendricks along with other donors are helping to finance the private venture. Ken and Diane Hendricks contributed $1 million toward the network.
Although there are many state public affairs networks, Diane Hendricks said WisconsinEye is the first privately funded program.
That's a big deal.
“It's important not only because taxpayers don't have to support it, but in terms of the independence in coverage,” Long said. “The state shouldn't cover itself.”
WisconsinEye was incorporated in 1999. From the beginning, the legislature wanted to ensure it was a private venture and not taxpayer funded.
Diane Hendricks said she and Ken became interested in it about three years ago. Because most people don't see their officials except during election year, Hendricks said it was important to give people the opportunity to see government in action.
Watching proceedings will also educate both children and adults how government operates. Diane Hendricks hopes that in the future the coverage will be used in schools.
“I don't think we as Americans take our government seriously,” Diane Hendricks said. “C-SPAN is too far removed. Here we are talking about seeing people from our county. People will recognize these faces and take more of an interest in government.”
WisconsinEye has a budget of $750,000 which will grow to $1 million. The organization has 11 full-time employees.
“We hope expand our coverage at the Capitol, adding additional equipment and staff. Our primary mission is to give unedited gavel-to-gavel coverage,” Long said.
In time, the network might offering expert commentary to help give people some context and perspective of the proceedings. Long said those at WisconsinEye would also consider different distribution avenues such as satellite.
WisconsinEye will not hone in on people seated or their expressions, which some say should be covered.
Because the legislature entrusts WisconsinEye with a great deal of responsibility and decision making, Long said the cameras will primarily stay with the presiding officer and the recognized speaker.
Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, said filming proceedings will help maintain decorum and respect among legislators. She called WisconsinEye a positive development.
“The more we can include the public in our deliberations and keep them informed, the better democracy is,” Robson said.
WisconsinEye will be carried on stations in Madison, Janesville and Beloit upon its start and in the La Crosse, Wausau and Fond du Lac areas in August. The channel numbers will be added to WisconsinEye's Web site once the details are finalized with the cable companies.
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