New rules governing drone journalism are on the way — and there’s reason to be optimistic

Mapping disasters? So long as you’ve got ATC clearance, it’s possible. Imaging structures in 3D? Totally possible. Covering protests? With the caveat that you can’t fly over people, very possible.

Sporting events are trouble, but issues like broadcast rights were going to stop that for major sports anyway. The vast majority of envisioned news purposes are all possible within this framework. —Nieman Journalism Lab.