A camera drone flown by a man named Brian Wilson flies near the scene where two buildings were destroyed in an explosion, in the East Harlem section in New York City in this file photo from March 12, 2014. [Photo/CFP]

Ten media organizations in the United States, including the Associated Press and the New York Times, are joining hands to test the use of drones for news gathering.

In a statement released on Jan 15, the media coalition says the initiative is "designed to conduct controlled safety testing of a series of real-life scenarios where the news media could use small UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) technology to gather the news."

The media companies will test the drones in collaboration with Virginia Tech University.

Rose Mooney of Virginia Tech said the collaboration could lead to "a safe, efficient, timely and affordable way to gather and disseminate information and keep journalists out of harm's way."

Members of the news coalition also include the Washington Post, Advance Publications, A.H. Belo, Gannett, Getty Images, NBC Universal, E.W. Scripps, and Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Previously, CNN has announced it would conduct tests on drone use with Georgia Tech University.

The US Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates airspace over the US, currently prohibits the commercial use of drones, though it has made some exceptions.