Drone maker DJI
has lodged a
complaint against
the BBC over
the way the
flying gadgets
were portrayed in TV reports.
In an open letter, it expressed "deep disappointment" with the way drones were depicted in the videos.
- The reports were
- based on "hearsay",
- claimed DJI, which felt
they fell short of the BBC's public remit to "inform, educate and entertain".
The BBC said its investigation had shown positive uses of drones and that its programmes were fair.
Disturbing report
In its letter, DJI spelled out its objections to two separate BBC reports. One was a Panorama report broadcast in April that dealt with the shutdown at Gatwick believed to have been caused by a drone.
The other was a Horizon report called "Britain's Next Air Disaster? Drones" that was shown on 1 July.
DJI said it provided video footage and advice to production teams for both the reports, but said the BBC used little of this material.
Instead of featuring this information which showed how drones can be used safely, it claimed the BBC focused on "sensational, high-risk scenarios" that were unlikely to come about.
DJI detailed a range of measures that are now in use that help to make drone use safer. These included:
- geo-fencing
- automatic sensing of aircraft
- remote identification systems
- collision sensors
The end result, alleged DJI, were reports that could not be "construed as balanced or impartial in anyone's book".
