Munoz 1

Hector Munoz
Dr. Drnjevic
English 102
October 31, 2014
What, if any limitations should be applied to the paparazzi?
The common view on paparazzis are that, they are just like any other regular people
who are trying to make a living off of taking photos of celebrities without getting into any
altercations. It may seem that this point of view is a valid position to hold because most of the
paparazzis taking photos of celebrities are friendly and respectful of their boundaries. However,
if we look in this past decade there been countless of reports of how the paparazzis over stepped
their boundaries and ending up in altercations, it becomes evident that this position is not as
convincing as it might have first appeared. Newspapers, media outlets and even the celebrities
themselves have reported on the brutality that the celebrities have endure by the paparazzis. The
paparazzis view the celebrities as public property not as humans being, they will do anything
trying to get the exclusive photo that shows the celebrity doing something unflattering, which
earns them a bigger paycheck. Paparazzis law should be in place protecting celebrities because
whats the difference between a paparazzi and a stalker who intents on harming you? A camera
thats it.
The fact that there been multiple reports of paparazzi brutality supports my overall
position because how can paparazzi say they are not being aggressive with celebrities if video
proof exists. One ex-paparazzi said paparazzi have become the story, and thats got to stop.
When you are now the story, the storys finished. Its done (873). Its shows that it has become a

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growing issue when paparazzi are going against their comrades, and owning up that they have
gone too far. William Hodgeman, head deputy of Los Angeles TCD ( Target Crimes Division)
has gone on record stating that paparazzi commonly drive up curbs and sidewalks, run red lights
and ignore traffic laws a wolf pack technique in which two or three cars combine to surround a
ca, force it to slow and then stop (877). Paparazzi should be sent to prison for acting this way
towards any human being, what would have happen if there was a child in the car when the
paparazzi surrounded the car? The child would have nightmares for sure and become scared of
going out in public with the ever growing fear of becoming surrounded by complete strangers
harassing you for photos. Paparazzi have grown so aggressive that they started calling little girls
like Suri Cruise (Tom Cruise daughter) a brat and a bitch, this language should never be used to
talk to kids. The era of paparazzi violence have just began, with the costs of rising prices of
embarrassing photos of celebrities theres no end in sight.
The fact that paparazzi view celebrities as public property and not as human beings
should tell you something that they will do anything to get the exclusive photo. The recent death
of Princess Diana, brought much needed attention into the media world, that paparazzi should be
more countable. Paparazzi may have the law on their side when taking photos because their
work generally occurs in public places where the right to privacy is greatly limited (286). This
should change because more and more people are getting stomped on when hordes of paparazzi
come running after the celebrity. Celebrities personalities and their affairs are viewed as
inherently public and their line of work is construed as waiving their rights to privacy (290).
No one human being wants every movement or who they are dating to be publicize on magazine
or gossip websites. They should be entitled to the same privacy that every United States citizen
has. Paparazzi are told to get the shoot by any means necessary from atop roofs or in trees is

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standard... staged fire alarms, or bomb threats to cause an evacuation of the building that forces
their subjects on the streets (872). They go to great lengths just to get the best photo for a
paycheck. Celebrity need privacy laws to protect them and their children from the hordes of
ruthless paparazzi out there in the world.
Paparazzi laws should be in place protecting celebrities because the only thing that stands
between the celebrity and the paparazzi is just a camera. With the passing of princess Diana,
Great Britain has passed several privacy guidelines such as a ban on pictures obtained by a
persistent pursuit (313). Ever since the creation of this law, harassment of celebrities in England
has significantly decrease but this is just the first step on combating paparazzi. The United States
has followed in the footsteps of Great Britain with creating their own laws. They created a bill
called Sonny Bono which would create a criminal offense for any type of harassment involving a
camera. Celebritys children will also be protected under these laws, for example paparazzi must
stay at least 20 feet from hospitals and schools. This law is beneficial to hospitals because when
paparazzi block access to the hospital, they become public hazards. In 2009 Gov.
Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill which would penalize paparazzi or media outlets up to
50,000 for taking or publishing photographs of the plaintiff engaging in a personal or familial
activity (889). This law made the both the paparazzi and media outlets more liable because
before only the paparazzi were held countable. These laws are just the first steps in combating
paparazzi and making it safer for celebrities and their children.
In conclusion, paparazzi should be held more accountable then they are right now.
Instead of reporting on celebrities they have now become the story, such as getting into fights
with celebrities. Paparazzi have spoken against their own kind because they have crossed the line
a long time ago. They have be causing accidents all over the world and in some cases even

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deaths. This kind of aggressive has to stop because all they are thinking is about the pay check
that they will be receiving for getting the perfect shot. They often dont care what they have to
do to get the shot such as get into fights, high speed chases, and stalking the celebrity. Recently
laws are being put into actions to protect celebrities from the bombardment of the paparazzi. In
the US, paparazzi arent allow 20 feet within hospitals or schools. This is just the first step of
many in creating a safer world for the celebrities and public alike.

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Work Cited Page

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Swarm Or Watchdogs Of Celebrity Image Control And Power." Visual Studies 22.2 (2007): 169183.Academic Search Premier. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.
Murray, Ray. "Keeping The Paparazzi An Arm's Length Away."Journal Of Popular
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Nordhaus, Jamie E. "Celebrities' Rights To Privacy: How Far Should The Paparazzi Be
Allowed To Go?." Review Of Litigation18.2 (1999): 285. Academic Search Premier. Web. 30
Oct. 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
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