Topic : 03/11 Dr. Phil Now: Targeting the Paparazzi

One of the origins (or THE origin, I'm not sure), of the word "paparazzi" came from the 1960  film La dolce vita, where one of the photographers was named Paparazzo.  Paparazzo is a variation of a Sicilian word for a noisy or buzzing mosquito.

http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring99/Johnson/page1.htm

I think that they can border on harrassing.  Then again, if you're famous, they're a permanent attachment to your life, though I definitely think there should be boundaries.  However, they have to make a living like everyone else, too.

Taking a photo in a public place is protected as free speech, unless it's a crime scene or you use it to promote a product.  Legislation gets attention when a celeb has a car wreck or a "Princess Di" moment with the press.  The last thing I saw on California law on paparazzi was the 2005 code that Schwarzennger passed:

"amends the Civil Code in order to provide for, among other things, "physically invad[ing] the privacy of the plaintiff with the intent to capture any type of visual image, sound recording, or other physical
impression of the plaintiff engaging in a personal or familial activity and the physical invasion occurs in a manner that is offensive to a reasonable person..."

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/media_law_prof_blog/2005/10/california_gets.html

In a state where they are more and more voracious and ridiculous,  I think it's more important to put the physical safety of the celeb above the aggressive tactics of the media to obtain their freedom of speech. Surely there are other ways besides assault, battery, and defamation to acheive that. 

Doctor Now Paparazzi Phil Targeting The. I already know about that.  Because of the star are out every day-

and every night. See you on Tuesday March 11th, 2008. Sincerley Your. Russell Vlaanderen.--------------------

I totally agree there should be a law to prohibit the paparazzi from getting to close to the stars.  If they do not or cannot keep a safe distance from stars there should be charges and if needed jail.  No one should be subject to this kind of dangerous behaviour and just because people become famous they should not be subject to this kind of stalking.  Yes Stalking...that is exactly what it is and that is what they should be charged with, stalking.  The stars deserve to have a life devoid of this kind of harassment and stalking and I cannot imagine the torment these people have to endure just because they chose the acting profession.

Heidi

If people weren't  so eager to read every word about and look at every picture of celebrities, the paparazzi would not be in business.  I can't understand why people care what celebrities do.  They're just people--although many of them with extremely low morals.  Do you care what Jane Doe down the street does?  Of course not.  So why care what some movie star/athlete/entertainer does?  Although one can't help be aware of goings on regarding some celebrities, such as Britney Spears and Branjolina, does what they do really matter?  No.  It's nice when some of them do worthwhile things for charitable causes, but a lot of them aren't too bright anyway, so their opinions on politics or life in general just should not influence people the way they seem to.  Does the fact that your favorite actor has come out in support of a particular presidential candidate mean that's the one you should vote for?  Don't be silly--you need to make up your own mind based on how you feel about the issues involved.  If we treated celebrities no differently from the way we treat anyone else, the tabloids would not be willing to pay the paparazzi mega-bucks for invading the privacy of famous people, because no one would be reading the tabloids.  Let's face it, no one in their right mind reads the tabloids, do they?  Only people without lives of their own who want to spice up their loneliness.  If we the public weren't so eager to read all the seamy details about famous people, we'd be much better off and these people could then maybe have a little privacy.

Sharee

I do feel that the paparazzi takes to much liberity with what they think is their right. All people have the right to have a priviate life.They take it to much to the extreme. Who cares what they do when you or I or others do the same thing as they do. We are not in the paper all the time. Leave them alone

grandmac