The difference, of course, is that it may be under oath, and you can purjure yourself before congress. That means what you think you know from things you read

The difference, of course, is that it may be under oath, and you can purjure yourself before congress. That means what you think you know from things you read in the media might actually not be as truthy as what is said when someone has to sit down before a body that has the power to criminalize dishonesty. And its an important tool for government. There are very public scandals that the people want answers for. You may say it fits nicely with the expectations of office that elected officials might get to the bottom of things that may effect large groups of their constituents.