Drone Journalism in the Modern Era

Drone journalism is revolutionizing the way we tell stories. In the modern era, drones have become an essential tool for journalists, providing a unique perspective and access to areas previously inaccessible.

Drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras, allowing for stunning aerial footage and photos. This capability has been leveraged by journalists to capture critical events, such as natural disasters and protests.

The use of drones in journalism has also raised important questions about safety and regulation. In 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented new rules governing the use of drones in the United States, requiring registration and adherence to specific guidelines.

Journalists must consider these regulations when planning their drone journalism projects.

Consider reading: Use of UAVs in Law Enforcement

The history of drone journalism is a fascinating story that's still unfolding. In 2013, a BBC news crew made history by using a drone for the first time.

The use of drones in journalism picked up pace in 2014, with The Daily Dot using a Phantom drone for first-hand footage of a building collapse in Harlem in March 2014. This marked another milestone in the adoption of drones in news gathering.

These early adopters of drone journalism paved the way for others to follow suit, and it's exciting to see how this technology continues to evolve and improve.

For your interest: History of Uav

The regulatory environment for drone journalism can be complex and varies widely from one country to another. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires commercial drone operators to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate to demonstrate understanding of safety procedures, operations, and regulations.

Drone certification requirements also vary by country, with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EUASA) taking a risk-based approach to regulation. This means that drones are regulated based on weight and activity, rather than purpose or size. In the United Kingdom, all drone pilots are required to take a test and register drones, regardless of purpose or size.

Here are some key regulatory differences between the US and EU:

It's worth noting that regulatory environments are subject to change, so it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest requirements and regulations.

Regulation is a complex and ever-changing landscape for drone users. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EUASA) takes a risk-based approach to drone regulation, focusing on weight and activity rather than purpose.

Drones are regulated differently in various countries, making it challenging for journalists or media organizations to use them across borders. In the United States, drone certification requirements vary for commercial and leisure drone activity.

In the UK, all drone pilots are required to take a test and register their drones, regardless of purpose or size. This is a departure from European Union law, which is no longer applicable.

The Federal Aviation Authority's (FAA) Small UAS Rule (Part 107) requires commercial drone operators to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate, which includes passing an exam and must be renewed every two years. This ensures that operators have a solid understanding of safety procedures, operations, and regulations.

Here's a quick rundown of drone regulation in different countries:

It's essential to stay up-to-date with changing regulations, as they can impact your ability to use drones for journalism or other purposes.

The FAA has established six UAS/UAV test sites in the United States to study the safety and feasibility of integrating drones into the national airspace.

These test sites are located in Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Nevada, North Dakota, and Virginia, each chosen for its unique environment and geography.

The FAA selected these sites after a rigorous evaluation process that considered factors such as weather patterns, air traffic control systems, and the presence of other aircraft.

The test sites are used to conduct research and testing on UAS/UAV operations, including flight operations, safety protocols, and communication systems.

Researchers at the test sites are also exploring the use of UAS/UAVs for tasks such as search and rescue, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.

The FAA has established strict guidelines for the operation of UAS/UAVs at the test sites, including rules for altitude, speed, and communication with air traffic control.

These guidelines are designed to ensure the safe integration of drones into the national airspace and to protect the public and other aircraft from potential hazards.

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The Fourth Amendment plays a crucial role in regulating the use of drones in the United States.

The Supreme Court has not directly ruled on the use of drones, but there is potentially relevant precedent from fourth amendment cases.

In the United States v. Jones decision, the court reviewed the constitutionality of using GPS to monitor the location of cars in public, and this precedent could be applied to drone surveillance of neighborhoods.

The decision's dicta suggests that Fourth Amendment limitations could apply in the future, potentially restricting the use of drones for surveillance purposes.

A key aspect of this precedent is the court's consideration of the impact of technology on individual privacy, which could have significant implications for drone regulation.

In 2018, africanDRONE was formally established as a non-profit organization in South Africa, aiming to encourage the use of drones in media and journalism.

This organization has developed its own ethics and operations manual, adapted from the University of Nebraska Drone Journalism Lab, to guide its members in responsible drone journalism practices.

africanDRONE also provides a valuable resource, a repository of legal information on drone laws in various African countries, helping journalists navigate the complex regulations.

By working with major international media houses across Africa, Europe, and the USA, africanDRONE is helping to push the boundaries of drone journalism and its potential for storytelling and investigation.

Research on drone journalism is ongoing, with the College of the North Atlantic producing a drone journalism code of conduct in 2014.

The FAA held an "engagement session" on drone privacy in 2013, where the public discussed concerns about the use of drones in journalism.

Five overarching concerns were expressed during the session: privacy risks, mission creep, opposition to government regulations, safety hazards, and drones as the future of aviation.

The FAA may not release new regulations until 2015, so non-commercial journalists will need to establish professional standards for drone use.

Existing journalistic ethics codes can apply to drones, as the principles behind these codes are broad, according to Waite and Schroyer.

A drone journalism code of ethics is being developed by Schroyer and the members of DroneJournalism.org, which includes appeals for use of drones only when there is no safer method of procuring the information needed.

Research has a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world. In 2014, the College of the North Atlantic produced a drone journalism code of conduct, demonstrating the importance of establishing guidelines for emerging technologies.

This code of conduct shows that even in the early days of drone journalism, researchers recognized the need for ethics and responsible practices.

The use of drones in journalism raises significant ethical considerations. A crucial question is whether individuals have the right to expect privacy when their picture is being taken from up to several thousand feet above the ground.

The FAA held an "engagement session" on drone privacy in 2013, where the public discussed concerns such as privacy risks, mission creep, opposition to government regulations, safety hazards, and the potential of drones to be the future of aviation. These concerns highlight the complexity of the issue.

Privacy risks are a significant concern, with some arguing that the use of drones should be tightly regulated and subject to transparency procedures. This is echoed by John Villasenor, who suggests new frameworks for privacy laws in federal and state legislation.

The potential for invading people's privacy is a major concern, particularly when using drones for journalistic reporting. This is reflected in the five overarching concerns expressed during the FAA's engagement session: privacy risks, mission creep, opposition to government regulations, safety hazards, and drones as the future of aviation.

To address these concerns, non-commercial journalists are responsible for establishing professional standards. Waite and Schroyer hold that existing journalistic ethics codes can apply to drones, as the principles behind these codes are broad. They suggest that journalists should approach ethical questions by first checking to see whether a question has been dealt with before, as many of the questions in drone journalism debates have already been raised with regard to journalistic use of telephoto lenses and helicopters.

Here are the five concerns expressed during the FAA's engagement session:

These concerns highlight the need for careful consideration and regulation of drone use in journalism.

Journalists can face challenges in collecting drone data, but there are ways to overcome these obstacles. WFPL News, a National Public Radio affiliate, obtained over 11 hours of drone footage from the Kentucky State Police.

Newsrooms in the US and Europe often have restrictions on flying drones over groups of people. However, journalists can obtain drone footage taken by federal agencies using freedom of information laws.

In 2015, investigative reporters for the Associated Press used DigitalGlobe satellites to gather evidence of human trafficking. The data was used in a Pulitzer Prize-winning story, "Are Slaves Catching the Fish You Buy?"

The FAA in the US issued new guidelines in late 2020, allowing commercial drone operators to fly at night. This opens up new possibilities for drone journalism.

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The Sensemaker project in the United Kingdom is a great example of collaboration between newsrooms, freelance journalists, and community partners to develop long-term projects using drones for storytelling.

In this project, a collaboration between the Civic Drone Centre at the University of Central Lancashire, Manchester Evening News, and the Cringle Brook Primary School used 'sensemaking' machines, including drones, to gather data and tell a story about air pollution.

The administration at the Cringle Brook Primary School was concerned about air pollution, so they joined a Sensemaker team focused on detecting nitrogen dioxide, and the Manchester Evening News reported on their efforts.

The project found pollution spikes in the morning and the mid-afternoon, coinciding with school drop-off and pick-up times, which led to a behavior change and fewer cars on the road.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Drone Journalism Lab and the Missouri Drone Journalism Program are two notable examples of educational institutions that have incorporated drone journalism into their curriculum.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Drone Journalism Lab has a website with many articles and videos on the use of drones for journalistic purposes, showcasing the potential of drone journalism.

Here are some notable educational institutions and their drone journalism programs:

These programs demonstrate the growing interest in drone journalism and the potential for collaboration between educational institutions and the media industry.

The use of drones in journalism has sparked interesting questions about the First Amendment. In the case of Rivera v. Foley et al., Pedro Rivera alleges that police prevented him from using a drone to document a fatal car accident, violating his First and Fourth Amendment rights.

Drones might affect questions of the First Amendment, including the publication of private facts. This is a key concern for journalists who want to use drones to gather news.

In the Amicus Brief from Coalition of News Organizations in Support of Raphael Pirker, the coalition challenges FAA drone policies on First Amendment grounds. They argue that these policies could infringe on the freedom of the press.

Matthew Schroyer, a drone journalist, believes that the First Amendment right to photograph extends to drone journalism. He reviews the lawsuit by Pedro Rivera, a Connecticut-based photographer, who alleges that the police violated his right to monitor them using a drone.

Rivera's lawsuit highlights the tension between the need for law enforcement to keep certain areas secure and the public's right to know.

For another approach, see: Swarm Drone News