A paparazzi is a freelance photographer who is not affiliated with any mainstream media organization. They try to make a name for themselves by constantly searching for the best celebrities’ photographs. At times, to get a glimpse of celebrities’ events or personal lives, they stalk them using hidden cameras. The motive of most paparazzi is to capture celebrities in their most unappealing or candid moments. Competition among paparazzi is usually very tight since all of them are trying to earn a large amount of money by getting unique pictures. Celebrities have taken to court several paparazzi who have been found trespassing on their homes or their events. For a celebrity, it is very stressful to have paparazzi following you around, andthat’st why celebrities are forced to look great all the time.
The word paparazzi came from the Italian word “paparazzo,” which means an annoying insect, which in some way can be compared to today’s paparazzi. The current society is somehow obsessed with celebrities and how they live their lives, which has resulted in off-limits paparazzi coming up. They disregard almost all ethical and moral values in photography. Most of these photographers forget that celebrities are human beings too, and they require privacy, which is their right.
The paparazzi problem was not there in the generations that have passed, for instance, President Franklin D Roosevelt’s disability was never photographed or frequently mentioned despite him using braces and a wheelchair for years. In the previous years,several presidents cheatedd on their wives, but still, the media did not cover it. Now, if you compare such scenarios with the President Clinton extramarital affairs scenario, you will see the difference. The media widely covered the extramarital affair, which shows clearly the falling apart of the ethical code of conduct.
When a celebrity or any other person is inside a fenced yard that is not visible from the street or inside a house, they should be given the privacy that they deserve. Paparazzi should seek permission first before entering or photographing in such private places. The New York court ruled that patrons dining in a restaurant should be allowed to dine in peace, and for photographers to shoot inside the restaurantt they will need permission since the restaurant is a public place for dining (Dill 177)
Behaviors such as impersonation, fraud, disguise, trickery, and breaking into are used by paparazzi to gain access to private areas and are illegal. Surprisingly, you will still see some paparazzi engaging in such behaviors so as to get pictures or stories that they want. It is disappointing to see that when these paparazzi are found in such private areas, they are forced to leave, but they have nothing to lose since in mostcasess they have the pictures that they wanted. Celebrities should make sure to press charges against such photographers who seem not to mind others privacy.
After the death of Princess Diana, many peoplee especially public figures, have increased their disgust towards the paparazzi. During the fatal accident that killed Princess Diana and her driver, her Mercedes was being chased by seven paparazzi. It is saddening to know that Princess Diana had pleaded with the paparazzi to leave her alone; she stated that the photographers were causing a distressing intrusion into her personal life. Actor Tom Cruise commented after Princess Diana’s death that he, too, had been chased by ppaparazzi in he same tunnel where they run lights and harass you the whole time.
It has become very difficult for celebrities and ordinary people to have their privacy from the public, especially when they areint their most vulnerable situation. For instance, some celebrities are unable to privately grieve when they lose a child or a spouse because there are paparazzi who are waiting outside their door to take advantage of their tragedy. To photograph a window inside a funeral home is illegal and inhumane. It is very important for paparazzi to carefully consider what they are publishing on the internet and the means they use to get the photographs or the information.
The laws that protect the privacy of an individual should be used to protect public figures from such paparazzi. I believe our society doesn’t have to revolve around the celebrities’ personal lives, especially the negative ones. People stepping forward to change the law is the best way to deal with the paparazzi problem. For instance, the use of long-distance photographic equipment to take photographs in someone’s private home or facilities should be prohibited. Also, publishing photographs that are taken at home or other private places without the consent of the homeowner should be made illegal.
As I conclude, just because someone is a talented actor or musician doesn’t mean the public should have access to all his/her personal life and get to judge everything he does. In most cases, celebrities are different from what they are advertised as, and all they want is to make a living from their talent. The torture and hating some celebrities experience on social media is because of paparazzi who invade celebrities’ lives and expose their personal information, not meant for the public.
Paparazzi and Why They Are Wrong
