*CFP* "JOURNALISM FROM ABOVE", WORKSHOP ON DRONES AND JOURNALISM

Journalism from above

Invitation to workshop on drones and journalism

Sundsvall, Sweden, 10–12 April 2019

DRONES have quickly become ubiquitous in numerous sectors of society. One of the most interesting developments concerns the application of drones in media production and journalism. Researchers have called the early media use of drones a disruptive innovation, and a new genre named drone reporting has been proposed. However, the view from above is also connected to a 'surveillance gaze' in modern society, where aerial overview and CCTV play key roles. Some empirical studies have indicated that the actual use of drones by the media is limited by safety concerns and integrity issues, as well as legal uncertainty. Drones can therefore be seen as a recent example of how the meanings and uses of new media technologies are always subject to negotiation and experimentation by different actors and interests in society.

Against this backdrop, the research centre Demicom at Mid Sweden University invites scholars from the international research community to discuss drones in relation to the media and journalism from social, cultural, historical, technological, professional, ethical or other perspectives. Examples of possible topics include but are not limited to: Adaption of new technology in the newsrooms, cultural perspectives on reporting from above, the evolving roles of photo journalism, drone imagery and audience preferences in a changing media landscape.

The workshop is expected to lead to one or several peer-reviewed joint publications, and will be followed by an open call-for-papers to a special issue of the journal Media and Communication. The workshop will also be an opportunity to network and initiate future conference sessions or form consortia for funding applications. Sundsvall is a 40 minute flight north of Stockholm.

We warmly invite you to submit a 1000-word extended abstract before the deadline January 14, 2019 and hope to see you in Sundsvall, Sweden on 10–12 April 2019!

Jonas Harvard (jonas.harvard@miun.se)

Ingela Wadbring (ingela.wadbring@miun.se)