It is always interesting to see the underlying principles of open access being  applied in areas beyond academic research.

A little while ago, in a chapter of Neil Jacobs’ book on open access, I pointed out the parallel with parliamentary and electoral information. The success of theyworkforyou.com, effectively a parliamentary ‘mashup’, demonstrates just how significant the benefits of allowing freedom to re-use and redistribute can be.

Now from the US comes news of a related development  –  following endorsements by major presidential contenders of a call for open access to US presidential debates by Larry Lessig, CNN has agreed to make broadcasts of the upcoming democratic debates available ‘without restrictions’ to allow reuse and comment. Great stuff.