In a recent article on Editor & Publisher, a daily newspaper in Massachusetts welcomed the newest member of its photojournalism team – “The Eagle” – a high-tech drone.

“The Eagle” will be used to to add unique photographs to the Berkshire Eagle’s coverage. Its ability to travel to great heights and take epic photographs will offer a unique vantage point to stories read by the newspapers’ thousands of readers.

The Poynter Institute  published an article in 2016 talking about some of the challenges in using drones for journalistic coverage. Privacy concerns are paramount, and federal and state regulations are still morphing as drone use becomes more mainstream. Television stations have started using them for news coverage, and their usage is poised to grow exponentially. The type of photos and videos drones can contribute are nothing short of stunning –

The FAA recently dropped the requirement for operators to have a pilot’s license, clearing the way for more widespread adoption. If your newspaper wants to send one up, you’ll just need to register it and take a short test, and you’ll be on your way to new reporting heights.

 

Post by Jess Greiner