Mandate ad-free C-SPAN carriage on streaming platforms

Streaming services have emerged as a dominant force in the media landscape, amassing immense profits and user bases. Yet, they have neglected their civic responsibility to provide unbiased coverage of legislative proceedings as a public service. C-SPAN has long been a cornerstone of transparent democracy, broadcasting congressional deliberations without distortion or favoritism. However, the threat of ad-supported broadcasts on streaming platforms jeopardizes C-SPAN's mission of impartial coverage. Congress must intervene and mandate that streaming services carry C-SPAN's feed without commercial interruptions, mirroring the obligations historically placed on cable providers. These tech giants reap substantial rewards from public infrastructure and consumer subscriptions. In exchange, they should dedicate a fraction of their services to ad-free, unbiased content that informs and empowers the citizenry. Safeguarding C-SPAN's integrity is crucial for preserving the public's access to governmental processes without the influence of corporate interests or algorithmic curation. Ensuring transparent governance and an informed electorate should transcend profit motives.