Drones, Privacy and the Future of Photojournalism


Link: Drones, Privacy and the Future of Photojournalism: An Interview with Photojournalist and National Press Photographer’s Association General Counsel Mickey Osterreicher by New York Times First Amendment Fellow Nabiha Syed | Harvard Law and Policy Review

Adding to this perfect storm of confrontations is the worldwide proliferation of cell phone cameras capable of taking high quality photographs and audio-visual recordings.  These photographs and recordings can easily be wirelessly uploaded to the Internet. This has led to an exponential increase in citizen journalism. But as freelancers or bloggers, they may lack the legal support to defend themselves against police intimidation or even litigation aimed at preventing this type of newsgathering.

In a time of technology and terrorism, citizens and photojournalists throughout the world have risked — and in some cases given — their lives to document governmental activities. Sadly, what is viewed as heroic abroad is often considered as suspect at home.