When a session of Congress adjourns, so do C-Span broadcasts. C-Span cameras, which deliver live broadcasts of the proceedings of the US Senate and House of Representatives, are controlled by members of Congress, so when "Pelosi just turned out the lights," as John Culberson wrote on Twitter Friday, the cameras went off - but recording didn't stop.

Culberson used his cellphone to record video of discussions that continued after the adjournment, and later posed this video to his Qik site. One 12-minute video Culberson posted has received more than 22,000 views.

The House adjourned Friday for their five-week summer recess, but dozens of  Republicans chose to stay on the House floor to discuss energy legislation. Culberson, a Texas Republican, who reqularly updates both Twitter and Qik, "acted as a citizen journalist covering the proceedings, albeit one with clear partisan intentions," reported The New York Times.

Culberson used his Nokia 95 cellphone to record the discussions - described by another congressman as a "pep rally" - from a hallway (since House rules prohibit private cameras on the House floor).

"Mr. Culberson's online communications showed how new media tools like Twitter can supplement professional reporting," reported NYT. "As the Republicans departed the House chambers, a C-Span host explained the camera restrictions and said, 'We don't have a lot to show you.' So, in the absence of professional video, the cable channel showed one of Mr. Culberson's videos."

Source: The New York Times