Buzzing Insects: American Paparazzi

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Recommended: Non celebrities affected by paparazzi

The American paparazzi have been described by celebrities and the news media as scum-of-the-Earth—mean, intrusive scavengers who feast upon other people’s misery (Saltzman par. 4). Imagine taking a walk with your children in a secluded hiking trail. You are trying to enjoy the peace and serenity that the beautiful day brings, but, as fate has it, you are a celebrity. Along with your fame come fans constantly asking for your autograph, people gazing and staring at you, and ultimately causing a scene wherever you go. However, today you found some time alone to enjoy a few moments of solitude or so you thought. Far off in the distance, you see a determined photographer ready to complete his quest of getting some shots that will turn a nice profit for him. As you rush to the car, you tell your kids to hurry. The seconds get shorter and the photographer closes in on his victim: you. His camera flashes in your face. The flickering lights hurt your children’s eyes. The photographers, or more appropriately, the paparazzi were just taking pictures in a public place so were they really breaking any laws? [Add Halley Berry] It has been proven that paparazzi tactics of hunting icons have led to trespassing, behavior constituting assault, and invasion of their targeted celebrity’s privacy (McNamura The paparazzi have gotten out of hand, and their antagonistic behavior, intended or not, should be restricted.

The paparazzi’s first line of defense is not an unfamiliar one in this democratic country of ours. Their battle cry is freedom of the press or freedom of speech (Alach 208). They claim that we as a people have a "right to know."(CITE) The first amendment to the Bill of Rights clearly states, “congress shall make no law prohibiting […] or a...

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...azzi Issue." Quill. 86.5 (1998): 42. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.

Nordhaus, Jamie E. "Celebrities' Rights To Privacy: How Far Should The Paparazzi Be Allowed To Go?" Review Of Litigation. 18.2 (1999): 286-314. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.

The Paparazzi Reform Initiative. “Legal.” N.p. N.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.

Saltzman, Joe. "Paparazzi To Go." USA Today Magazine. 138.2774 (2009): 25. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.

Saner, Emine. "Have Celebrities Finally Snapped?" The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 04 May 2009. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.

Willis, Keith D. "Paparazzi, Tabloids, And The New Hollywood Press: Can Celebrities Claim A Defensible Publicity Right In Order To Prevent The Media From Following Their Every Move?" Texas Review Of Entertainment & Sports Law. 9.1 (2007): 175-202. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.

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