Congressmen Battle Over How To Share Video OnlineCongressmen Battle Over How To Share Video Online

Leave it to members of Congress to turn posting online videos into a partisan issue. Several members of the House of Representatives are engaged in a written and verbal slugfest over how they and their colleagues should be able to post video on outside Web sites.A small commission wants to update House rules for communication, which prohibit members from posting videos outside their official government domain. Since the government doesn't have the server capacity to handle videos, the rule makes it difficult, or impossible, for elected representatives to post official video.

Several bloggers and at least one representative have expressed outrage over the restriction, claiming it curtails free speech. However, Democratic leaders and commission members said the prohibition is part of an antiquated set of rules that they actually want to loosen.

Members of the commission have said that they could allow videos to be posted on sites that are officially approved.

That also has drawn criticism from people claiming it restricts the rights of representatives to communicate freely with their constituents.

However, there are other rights and laws to consider.

It's illegal for elected officials use taxpayer time, property, or resources to promote commercial or campaign interests. That's a good thing. That means that those seeking re-election can't use paper, printers, phones, offices, or staff hours to campaign against a challenger who lacks access to government equipment.

Imagine if members of Congress could host fund-raisers in the Capitol, using federal janitors and food service staff, during normal business hours. Aside from the fact that it would be extremely unfair to challengers lacking the office space and staffs, I doubt little but fund raising would ever get done.

So, the rules are in place as ethical standards. They are not free speech restrictions. They exist to prevent conflicts of interest and impropriety.

Since it's rare for government to act too quickly, it's no surprise that the federal government is behind the times and hasn't yet figured out how its members can post to video-sharing sites without creating problems.

But, there's no doubt that limits need to be set.

Otherwise, constituents seeking information from a Congressman could end up viewing ads for a company the Congressman owns. A high school civics class searching for proposals about Internet safety for children could get a message from a representative alongside ads for Viagra and condoms. And, incumbents could use their office hours and staffs to communicate about their latest legislative proposals next to their own campaign ads.

Those who think the changes are an anti-Twitter or an anti-free-speech conspiracy should wait and see what changes are actually proposed before crying foul.