Missouri Blogger Crowdsourcing Funds To Live Stream 2014 General Assembly

Nov. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- The Missouri Torch announced today (http://themissouritorch.com/2013/11/12/missouri-torch-transparency-project-live-stream-general-assembly-2014-video/) its intent to live stream the 2014 General Assembly, along with every committee hearing throughout the year.  Using the crowdsourcing platform Indiegogo, the blog seeks to raise enough money to put two cameras in the House, two in the Senate, plus six additional cameras to broadcast committee hearings.

The editor and founder of The Torch, Duane Lester, said in a video released on the website that one of the most popular things the site did in 2013 was livestreaming hearings in Jefferson City.

“I think one of the reasons it’s so popular is that it just isn’t done.  Believe it or not, there is no video live feed of the General Assembly in Missouri.  I’d like to change that,” Lester said.

Lester referred to the project as “the CSPAN of Missouri,” and said it would be completely donor driven.

“There’s no reason to burden the Missouri taxpayer with the bill for this service if it can be provided by willing donors,” Lester added.

The blog hopes to raise $250,000 by December 15th.

You can see the Indiegogo page here:

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-missouri-torch-transparency-project/x/981363

About The Missouri Torch:  The Missouri Torch is a political website, focused on Missouri politics.  It was established on May 1, 2013 and quickly became one of the most widely read blogs in the state.

About Duane Lester:  Duane Lester is the founder and editor of The Missouri Torch.  He’s a former Navy journalist who began blogging in 2007 on the website All American Blogger.  In 2012, he was awarded the “Breitbart Blogger Award” by the Heritage Foundation and The Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity.

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