Drones in News Reporting: Any Boundaries?

In the case study of Drones and The News, the news media argued that the drone that flew over private property to capture images of that property was ethical. They believed their coverage was an issue of public importance that involved the most powerful political figure in the state (Painter, 2022). Therefore, the need-to-know concept was applied. According to Painter et al. (2022), the need-to-know idea is considered the most ethically compelling argument in which it demands an ethical case to be made for information that others desire to keep private. In addition, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) code of ethics states that journalists must balance the public need for information with the potential harm and discomfort it may cause. Moreover, pursuing news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness. According to the SPJ code of ethics, private individuals have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures or others who seek power, influence, or attention (See SPJ code of ethics).

When it comes to knowing whether private property is owned by a public official or private citizen, the concept of John Rawls' veil of ignorance doesn't require us to have that knowledge. Behind the veil of ignorance, everyone is equal and unaware of each other's social status, so arguments are free from bias. The veil of ignorance is an ethical decision-maker strategy that requires reflective equilibrium to balance the liberties of many stakeholders and protect the weaker party to explore all issues involved. Understanding Rawls' veil of ignorance, the right to know, the need to know, discretion, and circles of intimacy can help us make better decisions (Painter, 2022).                                                                                 

According to Painter et al. (2022), WDRB News Director Barry Fullmer stated that the TV station operated the drone following the FAA requirements and did not capture video footage of the governor's children. Therefore, the TV station did act fairly towards the governor. On the other hand, the governor's actions were fair because liberty for all is valued equally under Rawls' veil of ignorance. The freedom of the press is considered equal to freedom from intrusion into private life (Painter, 2022).

TechNation: Impacts of Drones on Aerial Journalism

References

Painter, C., Patterson, P., Wilkins, L. (2022). Media Ethics Issues and Cases (10th ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.

SPJ Code of Ethics. https://www.spj.org/pdf/spj-code-of-ethics.pdf

TechNation. (2023, January 30). Impacts of Drones on Aerial Journalism. Youtube [video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFhWkFL6BgM

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