NAB Praises Consumer Drone Bill

The National Association of Broadcasters has come out strongly for a new bill that would create guidelines for recreational use of drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAVs).

"NAB strongly supports Sens. Feinstein and Schumer's Consumer Drone Safety Act, legislation that strikes the right balance by imposing meaningful guidelines on recreational use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Broadcasters take seriously our role as 'first informers' and believe UAVs hold great potential in improving newsgathering capabilities at local stations," said NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton. "We will continue to engage both Congress and the FAA on a legal framework that encourages responsible use of UAVs."

The Consumer Drone Safety Act was introduced by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). It would require the creation of guidelines on maximum altitude, restrictions, limitations and safety requirements for manufacturers.

John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.