FAA Proposes Broad Drone Restrictions Over Critical Infrastructure

The FAA has proposed a rule allowing critical infrastructure sites like power plants and dams to request airspace closures to drones, potentially affecting around 125,000 facilities. While the National Press Photographers Association acknowledges the FAA's authority for safety, they object to the rule's lack of transparency and consideration for newsgathering rights. A coalition including the ACLU also noted the absence of terms like 'journalist' or 'First Amendment' in the proposal. The Commercial Drone Alliance supports the rule, but critics argue it fails to balance security requests with the public's interest in documenting events.