Influence of Paparazzi on Society

If a person was to commemorate into whatsoever convenience store, thither is almost a sure chance that he or she would encounter a multitude of magazines and novelsworthinesspapers lining the shelves before the checkout counter. Each magazine objectionably highlights this weeks big story or scandal. Turn on any television and in that respect atomic frame 18 almost as many entertainment news channels as there are world news channel. Is this order of magnitude becoming ghost with the lives and mishaps of famous celebrities? Or are the tabloids so inaccurately depicting the lives of people that the average person can non wait to see what they move up up with side by side(p)?However, the topic of the problem does not lay within the tabloids themselves, but the paparazzi, who volition stalk, invade and sometimes even drop behind renowned celebrities fitting to earn their next paycheck. These undeniable invasions of solitude put many in the sheath of danger. There are not nevertheless recent examples of the danger the paparazzi place on the lives of people, but examples geological dating impale to the death of Princess Diana. When does society decide when the paparazzi has g hotshot too far, and what laws should be put into place to take elevator care the safety of those who are famous?One may question if they even break the counterbalance to plump that deep into someones bearing. Due to the evidence that exists, it is necessary that laws are put into place to nurse the lives of these esteemed stars. The paparazzi originating from the Italian word, paparazzo, meaning buzzing insects are the target of heavy scrutiny from the famous. The obsession with celebrities is not just a recent phenomenon but dates back to as far as recorded history. In ancient Greece and Rome, people created their gods as very human-like beings, complete with character flaws and drama.Through the Middle Ages, the celebrities were royalty and nobility. In The go un der and Fall of the Roman Empire, Edward Gibbon came to the conclusion that there were several factors contributing to the fall of Rome, including a oversight for civil respect. He states, The development of an over-obsessive raise in sport and celebrity was one of the factors in the smash of the greatest civilization ever known to man (Mell). Paparazzi have and always lead be the suit of clothes for our societys problem of blurring the lines mingled with private citizens and public persona.As a result, societies as far back as the Roman Empire have succumbed to the trivial desire to watch the rise and fall of draw a bead on public figures (Mell). Nowa daytimes, A paparazzo is defined as a freelance motion-picture shower who aggressively pursues celebritiesto take artless practically compromising photos for publication (Hellmueller 9). Most are under the assumption that sacrificing privacy and intimacy of relationships disappears when they are throw off into the spotlight. It is widely understood that without media attention, their existence would be irrelevant to the masses.I understand there is a certain amount of my own privacy that I have to give up, states actress Halle Berry (Lowry 21). Stars have come to terms with the fact that although equivocal, if they want their careers to survive they must be in the media spotlight. Visibilityis vital for a Celebrity. The paparazzo glorifies acts and magnifies sins (Hellmueller 9). Although twisted, stars that receive negative light much(prenominal) as Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, or Lindsey Lohan, receive more public interest than stars that are not involved in scandals (Hellmueller 9).Therefore, negative attention by photographers is a necessary evil. As much as stars resent the paparazzi and the scandals they expose or even factiously conjure up, they understand that their relevance in the cut-throat world of Hollywood is reliant upon their perpetual media exposure and public interest (Hellmueller 10). Social media has consistently turn out as an outlet for the famous within the past six to seven years. Popular forms of social media much(prenominal) as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Myspace, prove just how powerful scandals exposed by paparazzi can be in boosting your tonicularity.As of January 15th, 2014, seltzer singer, immatureage heartthrob and common target for paparazzi, was the second most followed account on Twitter, a popular teen social media outlet, with 48,705,084 followers. Even more shocking is that this outrageous number increases by the thousands each day. Surprisingly enough, we do not observe any Twitter profiles that are non-famous pop culture phenomenons until we reach number 34 on the list, CNN Breaking News, who only has 15,141,938 followers (Hellmueller 19).Consequently, this proves how important paparazzi targeted celebrities are to the teenage audience in comparison to a news account that provides vital worldly information. The public is intri gued by the downfall and the consecutive mishaps of stars they supposedly look up to. Therefore, the most accessible and informative way to keep up with celebrities day to day activities is through with(predicate) outlets much(prenominal) as social media (Ward 107). The constant hounding from paparazzi is to be expected when you are in the limelight in Hollywood, or staring in a new movie.But when stars such as capital of Minnesota Reiser and Michael J. Fox feel as if they are being invaded in intimate and important affairs of their cursory lives, they begin to question if photographers have gone too far. both(prenominal) share disturbing personal experiences with pull out out of respect from the paparazzi. Michael J. Foxs marry to wife Tracy Pollan was invaded, as well as the birth of his graduation exercise child, where paparazzi posed as medical personnel to get detailed information about the family. They even went so far to pose as mourners and sneak into a funeral when his father passed away.Paul Reiser, star of TVs frantic About You, could not attend the birth of his premature baby, because reporters and paparazzi had staked out the lobby and made it impossible to enter the hospital (Moore 2044). Some claim that these innate disregards for privacy in such sensitive and important moments in a persons life are unnecessary and disrespectful. There is noticeable distinction between being unwillingly photographed fleck shopping at the grocery store, and being unwillingly photographed term exchanging vows at a wedding.Neglecting the distinction between every day and sensitive moments in ones life is what leaves stars mental picture as if the paparazzi are intrinsically evil (Seiter 14). Possibly more disturbing than invasions of privacy, are the cooling tales told by celebrities when the overwhelming persistency of the paparazzi proves to be unsafe. Some stars, such as pregnant reality TV star, Kim Kardashian, broadcast their stories through soci al media sources such as Twitter.On June 6th 2013, she tweeted, Yesterday 4 cars boxed me in just to have me drive at their speed so they can snap through the windowI wouldnt let the paps paparazzi get a pic of me today & they threatened my life How dare they (Kardashian). She keep by adding, Let me enjoy this last month of pregnancy please without threats & being scared to leave my home due to what dangerous thing they threatened to do (Kardashian). It is impossible to ignore the outcry of celebrities through social media, and as a result, many solicit their negative opinions through this mean.Multiple stars, such as Ireland Baldwin, girl of Alec Baldwin, Liam Payne, Miley Cyrus, and Justin Bieber share their disapproval on social media with a variety of obscenity ridden posts, bashing the photographers for the nuisance and safety hazards they thrust upon their lives (Zissou). With any activity that exudes danger, there is a possibility that a tragedy could occur at any moment. With an adrenaline and danger filled career such as being paparazzo, the competition to get the next big shot proves to be too much at times.This career does not only fork over danger to the celebrity, but the photographer as well. Burke explains how Sometimes five cars full of paparazzi will cover after a celebrity. And to make sure they dont lose their target they will often speed, run stop signs and even drive on the wrong side of the road (Burke 22). In 2013, Justin Biebers Ferrari was chased by hungry photographers down a California highway. One of the photographers, Chris Guerra, was struck and subsequently killed while trying to cross a Los Angeles street after he was led to believe Biebers car was pulled over for speeding (Zissou 14).Blair Berk, an attorney who has represented many stars in court cases believes, Paparazzi are increasingly dangerous, the anesthetise here is safety (Zissou 14). On August 31, 1997, in an even more disturbing, and widely publicized story, Pr incess Diana, was killed in a car crash in Paris after being chased down by a hound of paparazzi. These two immensely disturbing stories illustrate the actual danger that both parties endure. Both events sparked not only incredible controversy, but led to the call for laws prohibiting the dangerous tactics used by photographers (Moore 2045).One may question why a group of people would be involved in such a risky job that is associated with such negative sentiments. Some assume that the paparazzi are merely fame obsessed civilians without a real job. Others may believe that they receive joy in torturing celebrities. However, the reality is that the payout for the reform-hand(a) single photograph could easily earn you fifty to one-hundred thousand dollars, on the low end. The average photograph at a movie premier runs from $100-$300 dollars depending on the celebrity and the nature of the photograph.Pictures that capture altercations or mishaps are far more lucrative than a common p hoto (Hoffman). The big money is generated from photos that are in high demand and difficult to obtain, such as wedding photos and scandalous mishaps such as affairs and rehab entrances. According to Scott Cosman, owner of photo agency Fam/Flynet Inc. , magazines would pay a fortune for the scratch line wedding photo of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and their children. Worldwide rights for a picture like that, with all the kids, I would say $10 million (Weisman). This is not the first time a picture has been estimated for a price that outrageously high.The first picture of Jolie-Pitts twins was sold to People Magazine for 14 million dollars. Getting the right shot can boost photographers into immediate wealth with the mere snap of the camera. Money is the fix motivating behind the paparazzis unsafe habits and it will continue to evolve like this until there is some clear of regulation introduced (Weisman). Stars have recently become aware of the fact that they are in almost sole co ntrol of the future and present habits of the paparazzi. If they wish to bring about changes to the maltreatment and invasions of privacy they presently receive, they have to stand up and do something about it.This exact theory is just what stars like Halle Berry, Steven Tyler, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Michael J. Fox realized, just to name a few. Motivated and fed up stars like these, have teamed up with members of the California congressional delegation and introduced the Personal solitude Protection Act, which would make it a federal crime to endanger anyones safety to take a photograph it would expand the definition of trespass to include using a zoom lens or deploying high powered microphones in their home (Moore 2044). Many are in support of this law, including people that were thrust into the spotlight unwillingly.For example, Ellen Levin, whose daughter was murdered in the Preppie Murder case that one time dominated New York tabloids, complains how paparazzi once swarmed and invade her property in order to obtain photographs, making it nigh impossible to be alone with her familys grief (Moore 2045). Actress Halle Berry supports this law as well, but for the interestingness of her young childs safety. She claims that her daughter has a constant fear of leaving the house and feeling like she cannot move in the world in a safe way due to the unforgiving hounding of paparazzi that follow her everywhere she goes, including school (Lowry 21).Stars believe that this legislation will make the paparazzi more accountable for their actions while still being able to make money and do their jobs. Although this legislation is not already intact, states such as Hawaii and California have already taken action and won in the constant fight for privacy. Entering his final year in office, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California Governor, signed a law into issue in 2010, enabling celebrities to sue tabloids, television, and other media outlets who pay for and use ma terial they know was improperly obtained in violation of a persons right to privacy (Seiter 14).In Hawaii similar action was taken when Steven Tyler from Aerosmith passed the Steven Tyler Act making it easier for celebrities to sue paparazzi and others they see as invading their privacy. When Im in my own home and Im winning a shower or changing clothes or eating and I see paparazzi and therefore see that very picture in People magazine, it hurts, Tyler said (Hellmueller 20). He believes this piece of legislation will make Hawaii a more desirable spot for vacationers and solve the increasingly bothersome privacy problem they have there.Celebrities have become aware that they are in charge of their own stack and that they actually have the power to make a difference for their own wellbeing. As with any legislation, there are people that are against its approval. Some people believe acts such as the Personal concealment Protection Act would be devastating for journalism. Not only would it restrict the photography of celebrities, but it would impinge on the news-gathering ability of legitimate news organizations says Barbara S. Cochran, executive director of the Radio-Television News Directors Association (Moore 2044).Bills like this one would protect villains, frauds, and scoundrels whose activities are brought to light, adds executive editor of the Petersburg Times, Peter C. Nash (Moore 2044). Others argue that all paparazzi are not evasive and dangerous, and the masses should not be punished for acts concerning select groups of people. Magazine, newspaper and online blogs would be heavily affected as well. In 2012, the average magazine would have published 14 stories within its pages, 10 of them addressing scandals and big news regarding a famous celebritys life.If all of a sudden there was a drop of story material, sales for popular sources of this information would decrease heavily (Ward 119). Perhaps the strongest argument against these laws however, dates back to the temperament and the 1st amendment. Many argue that these laws are restricting the rights that were outlined in freedom of the press. Any new law is going to run smack into the First Amendment. Truth is, most conduct is covered by existing laws argues L. A attorney, Dmitry Gorin (Zissou). The dispute has turned into a clash of principles freedom of the press versus the constitutional right to privacy.There is not a doubt that this act would henceforth protect celebrities and their privacy, but in doing so, we may be violating one of the most renowned pieces of legislature. Many argue that the effects of laws such as the Personal Privacy Protection Act would bring about more negative than positive outcomes (Ward 128). The level of influence pop culture and the tabloids have on todays society is incredible. If magazines, newspapers and social media outlets were removed, the entertainment manufacture would not flourish as it does today. The influence that a mere pict ure can have on society is astonishing.For the future, if laws are not created to slow down the growth and intrusive nature of photographers, the esteemed celebrities society recognizes will be constantly put in harms way. The establishment of these laws and regulations will not only make it a safer environment for paparazzi, but people in the spotlight as well. When paparazzi and Hollywood go out to coexist in complete harmony and safety, there will no longer be such high price tags on images of such insignificance. Until then, the paparazzi will continue its trek through the entertainment industry as a dangerous but absolutely necessary evil.