ADVOCACY · LIVE-STREAMING

Why Live-Streaming Is No Longer Optional

Many government meetings are still “in-person only, no remote participation.” That excludes millions of New Yorkers. Live-streaming is simple, affordable, and already the norm almost everywhere else.

All 50

state legislatures live-stream their meetings

states require it, including Vermont, Massachusetts, and Indiana

YouTube is free. Any smartphone can broadcast a meeting

reasons below to make it standard practice

30 REASONS

Health and Safety

Contagious illnesses spread at in-person-only meetings, and people often do not know they are sick.
Many seniors cannot travel safely.
Serious health conditions make attending in person impossible for many residents.
At least a quarter of Americans are immunocompromised or live with someone who is.

Legal and Ethical

Failing to provide a reasonable accommodation like live-streaming could be considered negligence.
Over 432 New York local governments signed the Climate Smart pledge, covering 9 million New Yorkers.
Remote participation saves taxpayer-funded travel reimbursements.
The ADA predates the internet. Future updates could mandate streaming. Why wait?

Who Gets Left Out

Military service members stationed away from home.
Working people who cannot take time off for a weekday meeting.
Parents and caregivers who cannot leave the house.
Frequent travelers and seasonal residents.
Women who feel unsafe attending night meetings alone.
Low-income residents facing gas, parking, and transit costs.
People without a car or reliable transit.
Residents discouraged by restrictive rules of decorum.
Shrinking newsrooms that cannot send a reporter to every meeting.

Economic and Environmental

The IRS mileage rate is 70 cents per mile and rising.
Remote participation cuts travel reimbursement costs.
Caregivers pay for childcare just to attend a meeting.
New York covers 54,000 square miles. Travel is impractical for many.
Rural terrain and winter weather make some trips unsafe.
Flooding, ice storms, heat waves, and wildfire smoke are now routine. Remote access is a necessity.

Public Employment

Remote access is the most desired job feature. Requiring streaming supports recruitment.
Less exposure to contagious illness means safer jobs and less sick leave.

The Bigger Picture

The easier it is to participate, the more engaged a community becomes.
Transparency restores trust in government.
A town that refuses to live-stream looks outdated, disconnected, and unwelcoming to newcomers.

Want live-streaming in your community?

The excuses are running out. Tell us what is happening in your town.