Members of the public had the chance to use the internet to help shape new laws in a pilot scheme launched on Thursday.

For the first time in history every single person will be able to take part directly in making the country's laws

Graham Allen Labour MP

As politicians examined the government's plans for a major shake-up of the rules on British broadcasting, people at home and work were able to watch and e-mail in their ideas.

Labour MP Graham Allen hopes all future legislation will come under similar scrutiny.

Murdoch ownership

A joint committee of MPs and peers began on Thursday its scrutiny of the government's draft communications bill.

The bill would allow big newspaper owners like Rupert Murdoch to take over Channel 5 and get radio licences.

But the proposals, unveiled earlier this month, would continue the ban on them buying a significant stake in ITV.

David Puttnam is chairing Thursday's committee

Ministers hail the bill as a turning point for the UK communications industry and the plans would establish a new super-regulator, Ofcom.

As the committee took evidence from media experts, people at home and work were able to watch on Parliament's own website, or BBC News Online.

Then, they could send in their suggestions on how the plans could be improved.

The ideas, which can still be emailed to edemocracy@lse.ac.uk, will be collected by an official appointed by the independent Hansard Society.

'Democracy turning point'

That mediator will sift out the useful contributions so these can be discussed by the committee.

The House of Commons says the hearing is a pilot of the idea but campaigners hope all future new laws plans will undergo similar scrutiny before they are debated by all MPs.

A Commons spokeswoman said its webcasts had record viewing figures, only topped by last month's Budget speech, although no numbers have been released.

Ahead of the hearing, Nottingham MP Mr Allen said: "The United Kingdom has finally become a full democracy.

"For the first time in history every single person in this country will be able to take part directly in making the country's laws."

Making better laws

He said: "This dramatic advance goes beyond the wildest dreams of the Levellers and the Chartists and the suffragettes, and all the other historic British campaigners for democracy."

By using technology, the move can bring "power to the people", argues Mr Allen.

The result, he believes, should be better laws which avoid loopholes for lawyers to exploit and which are written in clear English.

The committee, which was chaired by leading film director Lord David Puttnam, will hear on Thursday from the Independent Television Commission, the Broadcasting Standards Commission and the Radio Authority.

Several more hearings are scheduled throughout May, June and July.