News media representatives foresee a growing use of remote-sensing satellites to gather data, including data that could be used to check government claims about military and other activities occurring anywhere on the planet. The satellite technology is developing rapidly, and several nations and private corporations are involved in separate efforts to market such data to news organizations and other customers. With costs dropping, major news organizations might, in the near future, seek to have their own satellites, and government national security interests, international obligations, and privacy concerns might conflict with media assertions of First Amendment rights to use the data. United States Government decisions to turn the remote-sensing satellite field over to private industry strengthen the media's legal position. News organizations have presented two proposals to resolve the conflicts. The first, which would establish standards for applying national security restrictions, is promising. The second, which would create an exemption for news organizations from present nondiscriminatory data distribution requirements, is seriously flawed. The technology is still young, and news gatherers must explore the many economic, legal, and social issues it raises. (Author/FL)