Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > AETN launches the Arkansas Citizens Access Network
Posted 04 Feb 2019
The Arkansas PBS and Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced today the launch of AR-CAN – the Arkansas Citizens Access Network, aetn.org/arcan – a web-based network that will provide Arkansans with livestreaming coverage of legislative proceedings, board and commission meetings, and other government hearings and activities.
"Today, we begin a new era for government transparency in Arkansas," AETN Executive Director Courtney Pledger said. "Our citizens will now have a front row seat to many government proceedings where they may have an interest but cannot physically attend.
"The public is eager to learn more about how their government operates, and with increased knowledge comes increased confidence and trust. We have created AR-CAN to provide unprecedented access to state government proceedings, as well as educational tools to grow students’ understanding of civics and public affairs. Ultimately, Arkansans will be able to view state government in action live, through one online hub, without having to travel from their homes, offices or classrooms – an unparalleled educational opportunity."
The goal of AR-CAN is to provide as many livestreaming events as possible, allowing constituents to choose what to watch. For legislative hearings, the livestreams are provided by the House of Representatives and the Senate. AR-CAN will also host streaming of all state agency, board or commission meetings that provide a stream. AETN will use the network’s team of professionals to offer additional meeting streams – the first time many of these meetings and government events have been made readily available to the public without traveling to a physical location.
Upcoming events currently in the streaming schedule include: the State Board of Finance quarterly meeting Feb. 5, the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission meeting Feb. 12, the State Board of Education meeting Feb. 14 and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission meeting Feb. 21. A full schedule of events is available at aetn.org/arcan.
Due to the large number of meetings held each month by state agencies and boards, events deemed to have the most public interest will be covered. Suggestions for events to be livestreamed on AR-CAN are encouraged and may be made at aetn.org/arcan.
In addition to legislative proceedings and public meetings, AR-CAN will offer livestreaming of select special events including state agency press conferences, official government announcements, major conferences and other state official business.
Videos will remain on the site for approximately 30 days following the live event.
AR-CAN – the Arkansas Citizens Access Network – provides unprecedented access to state government, giving Arkansas citizens a front row seat to legislative proceedings, board and commission meetings, and other government hearings and activities. The website is dedicated to livestreaming Arkansas state government events and meetings and serves as an important educational tool, allowing students to see their government at work while learning about public affairs and civic responsibility. AR-CAN is presented by the Arkansas PBS.
The Arkansas PBS is Arkansas’s only statewide public media network, which enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers through the distinct channels AETN PBS, AETN Create, AETN PBS KIDS, AETN World and AETN AIRS on SAP. Audiences can also watch on several digital platforms, and members with AETN Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at aetn.org. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro) and KETZ (El Dorado).