Krishna Shrestha
In the last few months, Nepalese media people not only witnessed the use of drones for gathering news and shooting photos and videos but also used drones for their own purpose to some extent. It is a clear message that 'drone journalism' has expanded its footprints and has landed in Nepal, too.
However, there is no explicit policy regarding the use of drones in Nepal. The latest move of the government, however, has made it clear that using drones without government permission is illegal in Nepal. Therefore, right now, drone journalism is 'illegal' here! But, should it be?
Here, when we talk of drones, we are talking about media drones, which have gradually become popular among techno savvy journalists and journalism teachers.
Drone Journalism
'Drone journalism' is a new terminology with a history of about half a decade, but media organisations like CNN, BBC, Reuters and ABC-TV have been using it directly or indirectly.
Until last year, the use of drones for journalistic purpose was not permissible in the US. However, a memorandum issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on May 5, 2015 has demonstrated flexibility in the government policy. The memorandum addresses three issues concerning the use of unmanned aircraft for newsgathering. The issues include whether members of the media may use unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for newsgathering; whether the media may use pictures, video or other information collected by a person using UAS; and whether a person who sells images collected by UAS would need authorisation for the operation.
A Drone Journalism Lab was founded in November 2011. The College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln established the lab to 'build drone platforms”, use them in the field and research the ethical, legal and regulatory issues involved in using pilotless aircraft to do journalism.
Similarly, Illinois-based Professional Society of Drone Journalists (PSDJ) is another organisation established in 2011. The PSDJ is comprised of more than 340 members form more than 40 countries.
What actually is drone journalism? Simply speaking, it is the use of drones for journalistic purposes. Matt Waite, Professor of Journalism and founder of the Drone Journalism Lab, describes drone journalism as "using small, unmanned aerial vehicles to gather photo, video or data as an act of journalism."
Drones, once used for military purpose, have become a tool for gathering news and shooting photographs in many countries. However, the size and cost of the drones vary.
Drone use in Nepal
The use of drones is not totally a new phenomenon in Nepal. Conservationists have been using drones in the Chitwan National Park since mid-2012. The results have been quite encouraging. Besides, hobbyists are using drones for their personal consumption.
The use of drones for journalistic purpose is, however, a new thing for the media people in Nepal. Last year, a South Korean television crew used the Helicam to shoot happenings in the Pashupati area, where foreigners are not allowed to enter and even Nepalese are not allowed to shoot photographs. However, their efforts proved futile as the police not only stopped them from shooting but also deleted all the recordings and formatted the media card.
Pahilopost.com, an independent news portal in the Nepali language operated by Kathmandu-based Bizmandu Pvt. Ltd., is the first media of the country to use the drone for gathering news and shooting videos. The first event it covered was the 100th week of the Bagmati Cleaning Campaign held in April, and the second was the outcome of the devastating 'Gorkha Earthquake' and its aftershocks in April this year.
Likewise, many foreign media used drones to gather news and shoot photographs and videos of the devastating Gorkha Earthquake of 7.6 magnitude on April 25, which was followed by many aftershocks.
The Times of India in June reported: 'The Drone Journalism Society sent drones to Nepal … to collect data about the damage. This became a milestone in the world of journalism as for the first time in the history of journalism a 3D model was created about any damage caused by a natural disaster to help world organisations in disaster management.'
Besides, NGOs and amateurs too used the drone. Drone use became so widespread that the government banned its use without permission. It is a clear indication that in the coming days too, drone use will increase, and the Nepalese media will not shy away from using it as it has become more and more accessible because of easy availability.
Drones are capable of gathering exclusive information and shooting stunning photos and videos. Coverage of the infamous case of the Columbia meat packaging firm, manmade disaster in Harlem in March 2014, protests in Thailand and Ukraine, and devastating droughts of the Midwest in the US in 2012 are some of the times when drones were used.
Using drones are cheaper than using helicopters for journalistic purpose. Lower operational cost, possibility of reaching those places where physical presence is either not possible or very risky, falling price of drones, and availability in different shapes and sizes have encouraged media organisations to deploy media drones.
According to Prof. Waite, drones are able to get in the air quickly at a very low cost and get a perspective on a news event that would greatly enhance people's understanding of how big or serious a situation is getting. Getting even a few hundred feet in the air would be extraordinarily advantageous in the aftermath of a tornado.
Reuters Institute has rightly pointed out: "In addition to breaking news and investigative uses, RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) can be used in sports coverage of bicycle races, marathons, and football matches where they can provide different visual perspectives than the cable- and track-based robotic cameras currently used."
However, the use of drones is challenging. The biggest question raised about the media drone is ethics. Increase in trespassing and violation of people’s privacy may increase. There is that danger of the paparazzi. In addition, there are challenges to air traffic management and law enforcement agencies, complexities of operating varying drone models, training media people in operating the drones or hiring trained personnel, and redesigning the existing policies of news organisations are some other pertinent issues.
In January 2014, international correspondent of Australian Broadcasting Corporation Mark Corcoran categorised three broad areas where unmanned aircraft technology could be used. They are major conflicts, civil unrest and disaster coverage. Prof. Waite predicted in 2014 that drone journalism would be a common news gathering method in as little as five years.
According to a report entitled 'Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and Journalism: Opportunities and Challenges of Drones in Newsgathering’ of Reuters Institute published in 2013, the use of remotely piloted aircraft for aerial photography and video in journalism will increase significantly in the coming years.
An optimistic editor of Pahilopost.com Umesh Shrestha says, "We have successfully used drones to cover two major events in the country. We further helped the security personnel to get information of earthquake-affected areas. There exists a high possibility and prospect for drone journalism during a natural disaster, accident or a plane crash."
Healthy debate
Considering all these aspects, it is a high time there was a healthy debate and discussion on the use of media drones in Nepal. Government agencies, Press Council Nepal, Federation of Nepalese Journalists, media houses, journalism teaching universities and training institutions, security personnel and other stakeholders should come forward to chalk out a framework for the use of this technology. Press Council Nepal has already begun a discussion on 'Drone Journalism'. Others sectors related to conservation, surveillance, mapping, search and rescue efforts during a disaster, among others, should now chip in. It is clear that trying to stop the use of the technology for long is neither possible nor practical.
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The Rising Nepal, 28 July 2015