Metro launches YouTube channel

Mayor Karl Dean Wednesday announced the launch of Metro Nashville’s new YouTube channel.

All future Metro Council meetings will be available on the channel, and users also may view the Mayor’s State of Metro Address and an archive of Metro Council meetings dating back to July 1, 2010, the beginning of the current fiscal year.

“The launch of the YouTube channel furthers our continued commitment to openness and transparency in government,” Mayor Dean said in release. “We are harnessing new technologies to ensure that more Nashvillians have more access to information about how our government runs.  With access comes engagement, and that is always a good thing.”

The creation of the YouTube channel [1] allows Metro to reach a wider audience, as interested citizens can now use their mobile devices to watch the meetings within hours of them airing on Metro’s Government Access Channel. Additionally, individuals living outside of Davidson County whose cable systems do not air Metro Council meetings can now view the meetings online.

“There are several advantages to launching the channel,” Keith Durbin, CIO and director of information technology services, said in a release. “By utilizing YouTube’s free social media tool, we are saving money on server maintenance, licensing expenses, and storage costs while providing greater transparency within the Metro Government.”

As part of its social media plan, Metro last year launched its official Facebook page. Future phases of the plan include using the YouTube channel to air high-quality videos of Metro Planning Department and School Board meetings, as well as other events.