Drones and Journalism : How the media is making use of unmanned aerial vehicles

Drones and Journalism explores the increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, by the global media for researching and newsgathering purposes. Phil Chamberlains examines the technological development and capabilities of contemporary drone hardware, whilst also exploring the use of drones in investigative reporting, in the reporting of humanitarian crisis, and the use of this new technology in more mainstream media practices. The book also analyses the complex place of the media’s drone use in relation to international laws, as well as the ethical challenges and issues raised by the practice.

Drones and Journalism explores the increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, by the global media for researching and newsgathering purposes. Phil Chamberlain examines the technological development and capabilities of contemporary drone hardware and the future of drone journalism. He also considers the complex place of the media’s drone use in relation to international laws, as well as the ethical challenges and issues raised by the practice.

Chapters cover topics including the use of drones in investigative reporting, in reporting of humanitarian crises, and the use of this new technology in more mainstream media, like film and TV. The book also presents exclusive interviews with drone experts and practitioners and draws on a wide range of disciplines to put the practice into a historical, political and social context.

Professionals and students of Journalism and Media Studies will find this an important critical contribution to these fields, as Phil Chamberlain astutely charts the rise of the reliance on drones by the media worldwide.