Washington, DC —Suddenly, the FAA has allowed CNN  and a Las Vegas agency ArrowData to begin using and testing drones for electronic newsgathering over populated areas under a section 333-waiver application provision.   Until now the FAA has banned so-called, commercial use of drones while completely ignoring important First Amendment issues.  As of now many media companies have opted to refuse applying for section-333 waivers because the lack of FAA regulation in effect already allows drone newsgathering. The FAA just issued a curious memo saying the media can’t use the drones, but they can accept and publish drone video from third party hobbyists.  That begs the question, are the rights of hobbyists somehow greater than news publishers? Soon the FAA and media content creators may be clashing in a courtroom. The real issue and mission of the FAA is about safety in our skies. However, to date the nearly two million multi-rotor camera drones have ...

Kathmandu, Nepal —Drone video of the tragic earthquake that struck the very top of the world is beyond epic.   As soon as the quake hit television networks and camera drone operators were boarding all available means of transportation.   The drone pilots understood full well the absolute importance of rushing to the scene.   They know that drone images and video helps rescuers and engineers determine the safest ways to extract victims.   At the same time shows the rest of the world just how this desperate the situation is being handled. Drone pilots and first responders everywhere are beginning to understand that in natural disasters, search and rescue along with other emergencies analyzing the material is a genuine lifesaver.   It’s much easier for ground crews to locate survivors, evaluate hazards and determine the need for specialized equipment with the help of the new small drone technology. Helicopters are too large and their prop wash can actu...

Los Angeles, CA —The redundancy of reported drone news fables claiming privacy invasion and endangerment are getting very tiresome.   Okay, I agree that these stories are still somewhat novel and interesting.   Claims that the little camera drones are nearly colliding with conventional helicopter and other aircraft are nearly always patently bogus.   Careful examination by a journalist would expose the reality from fantasy. Police and news helicopter pilots see their career days being numbered by the threat of drones eliminating their jobs.   Helicopters cost $1,500 to $2,500 per hour to keep in the air.   The drones cost nearly nothing! Are the motives of helicopter pilots really pure when they disparage, denounce or otherwise criticize camera drones and their operators?    Can a little camera drone bring down a helicopter or airplane?   I won’t say it’s impossible but it is incredibly unlikely.   There are thousands of collision...

Los Angeles, CA —Local news coverage here is as lame is it gets anywhere!   The entertainment capitol of the world and the second largest television market puts out  pathetic   minimalist crap instead of comprehensive news. It's downright shameful! What used to be called print media has now been forcibly   moved to the Internet and they now must adapt to publishing quality video or simply become history. I don’t give a rat’s ass if you’re at the bottom position and pay grade in your news organization there’s no excuse for you being unable to make a broadcast quality news story if you come upon breaking news.   If you can’t put together a watchable story on your iPhone you need to get out of the news business.   You don’t have to be pretty or an award winning cinematographer to create a great news story.   You do need to be capable of using a little investigative effort and get some watchable video and simply tell your story. ...