I tend to regard text-to-speech features on news web sites as something of a gimmick.
Earlier this week, I wrote a very brief item about a “virtual newsreader” being on the web site of the Welwyn and Hatfield Times, a weekly local paper published by Archant. I thought of it as a pretty offbeat story rather than some important innovation, and picked the funniest available quote to use.
But now my story is being passed around on a site called BlindNews, reminding me that there are important applications for text-to-speech technology. The little animated newsreader avatar is still superfluous, though.
The Welwyn & Hatfield Times reports that local MP Grant Shapps is backing the paper’s opposition to Government plans that would water down the Freedom of Information Act.
Shapps also committed to back Press Gazette’s campaign on the issue by introducing an Early Day Motion opposing the Government proposals, which will make it harder for “serial requeters” like journalists to obtain information under the Act.
“I will be backing the Gazette’s campaign and am intending to put down an Early Day Motion in Parliament designed to put pressure on the Government to think again,” Shapps told his local paper.
Shapps should be applauded for his stand.
However, it will be interesting to see if those MPs who sign up to his Early Day Motion will also bother to turn up in the chamber to oppose a Private Member’s Bill designed to exempt Parliament from the FOI Act.
On its second reading a few days ago, David Maclean MP’s Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill sailed through the House completely unopposed.
If MPs like Shapps truly believe in the principle of Freedom of Information, they will also speak up to oppose a bill designed to exempt themselves from the law.