Preamble

The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) Code of Ethics outlines high standards of practice for digital news publishing. DroneInfo.in, as a digital news platform specializing in drone technology and its applications, is committed to upholding these standards while also addressing the unique ethical considerations of drone journalism and reporting. This code serves as our guiding principle to ensure accurate, fair, and responsible content creation that respects the law, public safety, and individual privacy.

1. Accuracy, Transparency & Fairness

• Verification: All news reports and articles must be based on verified facts. We will conduct mandatory pre-publication verification to ensure the content is accurate and not distorted, baseless, or defamatory.
• Right of Reply: We will strive to include comments or versions from all persons or parties mentioned in our reports, especially when allegations are made. If a response is received after publication, it will be incorporated appropriately, and the news item will be updated with the date of the update.
• Correction & Editing: If a news report is found to contain false or inaccurate information, we will promptly edit, delete, or take down the content upon receiving a valid request from the concerned party with supporting documents. If the entire report is found to be false, it will be completely deleted.

2. Respect for Intellectual Property

• Copyright: We will respect the intellectual property rights of others. This includes copyrighted text, photographs, videos, and diagrams. We will obtain prior permission for the use of copyrighted material and provide proper attribution.
• Fair Use: We will only use trademarks and service marks of third parties with prior permission or where such use constitutes fair use.
• Infringement: In the event of an intellectual property infringement claim, we will promptly investigate and, if necessary, edit, delete, or take down the content after receiving the required documentation.

3. Ethical Drone Operations and Safety

• Legal Compliance: All drone operations conducted for newsgathering purposes must adhere to all local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including those set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India. Our pilots will possess the necessary licenses and operate within designated airspace.
• Safety First: The safety of people, animals, and property is our paramount concern. Drone flights will be conducted after a thorough risk assessment, and we will not endanger the public or property for the sake of a story.
• Discouraging Illegal Flights: We will not publish or broadcast content that, although legally obtained from a third party, contains evidence of illegal drone operations (e.g., flights over restricted zones or at unsafe altitudes) unless its news value is exceptionally high and clearly explained to the audience.

4. Privacy & Sensibility

• Respect for Privacy: We will respect the privacy of individuals, especially those not in public life. Our drone operations will not be used to intrude on private property or to film individuals in their homes or other private spaces without their consent.
• Responsible Reporting: We will exercise due care and sensibility when reporting on sensitive matters such as crime, communal disputes, or incidents involving minors. We will avoid speculation and sensationalism, and all reporting will be factual and unbiased.
• Public vs. Private: We will balance the public’s need for information with an individual’s right to privacy. We will ask ourselves, “Would we capture this same image if we were on the ground?” to justify our airborne perspectives.

5. Editorial Independence & Professional Conduct

• Integrity: We will maintain the highest standards of professional conduct. Our journalists and editors will not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to influence events for the purpose of capturing content.
• Training: We will conduct regular training and awareness programs for our editorial staff to ensure they are up-to-date on all relevant laws, journalistic ethics, and the evolving regulations governing drone operations.
• Transparency with Audience: We will be transparent with our audience about how and when we use drones for reporting. We will clearly explain the purpose of the drone footage and how it contributes to a more complete and accurate story.

Regards,