Swains Representative Su’a Alexander Jennings has introduced a resolution requesting that sessions and hearings of the House of representatives be streamed live once the new Fono building is completed.
The resolution points out that live or recorded webcasts of legislative sessions and hearings are available in all 50 state legislatures, and legislatures of the District of Columbia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and Guam and the American Samoa Senate.
“It is in the public interest and in alignment with the democratic values of transparency, accountability and accessibility that the people of American Samoa can observe the legislative process in realtime, whether in person or via electronic means,” says the resolution.
It goes on to day that the new Fale Fono will be equipped with the necessary infrastructure and personnel capable of supporting reliable and professional live streaming of House proceedings.
The resolution requests that the authorization of live streaming of House proceedings be included in House rules, subject to a majority vote of members of the House.
