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.

Phil Chamberlain is Senior Lecturer in Journalism at the University of the West of England, UK. As the Associate Head of Department for Broadcast and Journalism he is responsible for various undergraduate and postgraduate media courses and has introduced the teaching of drone journalism into undergraduate modules, as well developing investigative journalism modules. He has 20 years’ experience as a journalist, and has worked for UK national newspapers on investigative projects. He is the author of Blacklisted: The Secret War between Big Business and Union Activists (2015).