CNN to study drone use for reporting

Seeking to speed up government rule-making about the use of drones in newsgathering, CNN and the Georgia Institute of Technology said that they would jointly study how to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) safely and effectively.

The partners called it a "research initiative" and said they will share data with the Federal Aviation Authority "as it considers regulations that will allow for the safe and effective operation of UAVs by media outlets."

The announcement comes amid widespread interest in newsrooms across the country in what's been dubbed "drone journalism," and equally widespread uncertainty about the legality of it. The FAA has severely limited the use of drones for commercial purposes, including newsgathering. It is due to develop new drone rules by September 2015.