Graduation Term

2015

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

School of Communication

Committee Chair

Brent K. Simonds

Abstract

This thesis uses the format of documentary film to investigate the aesthetic, legal, and ethical issues surrounding the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, commonly known as drones, in journalism. Particularly important are the topics of public perception, safety, freedom of speech, and privacy. Do journalists' First Amendment protections extend to the right to gather images using drones? How will the privacy of citizens be protected against aerial cameras that can go virtually unnoticed? Can drones be safely integrated into the National Airspace System? The goal of the documentary is not necessarily to answer these questions, but to gather opinions from journalists, video professionals, legal experts, flight instructors and historians, to provide the facts so that viewers can reach their own informed conclusions.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

DOI

http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2015.Carroll.R

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