MEP wants meetings to be podcast

People can listen to the meeting on their iPods

A London Euro MP has called for all meetings at the European Parliament to be podcast.

Labour MEP Mary Honeyball said this would encourage more young people to become involved in politics.

She has written to the Secretary General of the European Parliament to see if this is possible.

Podcasting allows anyone to download an audio or video file from the internet to a mobile player, a laptop or a personal computer.

The European Parliament currently works in 19 languages and offers simultaneous translation of meetings via microphones and headsets.

This would finally allow all stages of parliament to be followed by all citizens - no matter where they are or what language they speak Mary Honeyball MEP

In the letter, Ms Honeyball said: "Podcasting is an excellent way of demystifying what goes on in the European Parliament.

"This would finally allow all stages of parliament to be followed by all citizens - no matter where they are or what language they speak.

"Producing a short 'highlights podcast' of some of the most stimulating and controversial debate in the parliament could really help to engage young people with the democratic process."

She added: "Transmitting our committee meetings via the net would also help lobbyists and assistants who often find that full committee rooms mean that they are unable to access the translation service."

The European Parliament currently works in 19 languages and offers simultaneous translation of meetings via microphones and headsets.