Abstract
ABSTRACT This study uses diffusion of innovations theory to examine the growing popularity of drone journalism across U.S. colleges. We argue that collegiate-level developments in drone journalism represent a shift in drone technology’s diffusion across society from an instrument limited to a few select groups to a technology that is now used by future professionals with the power to shape the practice of journalism. Through a content analysis of college newspaper articles (N = 172) from 75 newspapers across 32 states and the District of Columbia, we find that students cover drone journalism in predominantly positive terms. Their writing highlights the technology’s professional advantages, enthusiasm for the future of drone journalism, and the value of drone operating skills in today’s competitive job market. Despite embracing drone journalism as a positive development, student journalists still recognize regulation challenges, privacy risks, and ethical considerations as hurdles to the technology’s diffusion across society.
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