New York Times and others to trial the use of drones for newsgathering
The New York Times, Washington Post and Associated Press are among 10 media organisations teaming up to trial the use of drones for news coverage.
The news companies are partnering with the Victoria Tech college "to conduct controlled safety testing of a series of real-life scenarios where the news media could use small U.A.S. technology to gather the news".
Advance Publications, A. H. Belo, Gannett, Getty Images, E.W. Scripps Company, NBCUniversal and Sinclair Broadcast Group are the other media firms taking part.
Rose Mooney, executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership at Virginia Tech, said drones can provide the media with "a safe, efficient, timely and affordable way to gather and disseminate information and keep journalists out of harm’s way".
The trial will take place under controlled conditions because the use of drones is currently restricted in the US.
Earlier this week CNN was given special permission by the US government to carry out its own drone tests.