WisconsinEye should be a publically funded independent service and open window into our government!!!

The confrontation between WisconsinEye against PlannedParenthood, over their illegal use of video showing Sen. Mike Ellis in a not so complimentary light, should be about the restricted use of seeing our own government in action...without paying for it.

My memory has faded a bit, but as I recall, it seemed real troubling at the time that all WisconsinEye broadcasts would be tightly held licensed material. You have to pay them to spread the video images of them saying things. Even then, there are even more restrictions.

Shouldn't this be an archive of our own state government, without having to pay a private group?

If you don't see it live or on your computer via a long video clip, forget it. And if wanted to see maybe just one comment, you have to sit through minutes or hours of stuff. If anything, it discourages viewing, and I should know, because that's how it affects me.

It’s said that to remain independent and nonpartisan, government should not have its hand in news gathering. Bull. A nonpartisan group, with no ability to offer input or influence, like the current nonprofit running it now, can be legislated.

Here are a few facts I uncovered that back up making this a taxpayer supported neutral source of seeing our government in action. Material can be used for campaigns, blogs and news media. It's politics on the record, and the following makes my case for me...in their own words:

WisconsinEye is a non-profit, private public affairs cable network … The channel is being financed by private donors including Wisconsin billionaires Ken and Diane Hendricks, who have contributed more than $1 million. 

You remember Diane Hendricks, Chairman of ABC Supply, who offered Scott Walker her help to turn our state RED. Oh, and you might remember Margaret Farrow, our former Republican Lieutenant Governor. Even these partisans are blocked from influencing its current coverage.

It's possible their influence has kept WisconsinEye private, and unavailable to new outlets, including news blogs.

Is it too much to ask Wisconsinites to fork over $2 million a year for their operating budget. Come on, let's spread the good and bad images of our legislators caught on video. 

As a matter of board policy, neither the board nor any individual board member has any involvement in the network's daily operations or programming decisions.

WisconsinEye is a statewide multimedia public affairs network. Our mission is to present an independent, statewide view of civic life and public policy discussion, beginning with nonpartisan, gavel-to-gavel coverage of state government in Madison, both on the air and on the Internet … span all three branches of government - legislative, executive, and judicial. We cover oral arguments in the Wisconsin Supreme Court and events in the Governor's and Attorney General's conference rooms … and other events throughout the Capitol as well as other forums where public policy is discussed and debated.

Our goal is to serve as an open, independent, and nonpartisan platform for discussion of ideas and action concerning society, culture, and public policy. We operate on the principle of access; access to ideas, access by all Wisconsin to the public square, and public access to decision-makers and others who would influence public policy.

WisconsinEye is a window on this vital part of Wisconsin life, helping bring Wisconsin together in shared understanding of both the differences that help define us and our common values and interests. 

And if you want an event blacked out, call WisconsinEye, so no one will see it except online:

WisconsinEye needs help from our audience to let us know about stories that need to be told. We want to hear about local events and issues of statewide interest. We want to know about communities, businesses, organizations, and individuals making a difference in our civic life.