The art of paparazzi came to light in the second half of the 1950s, capturing unposed images of public figures in the heart of Italy. Fast forward to the year of 2023, people wonder if paparazzi have taken a turn for the worse, or for the better. While some believe the individual photographers simply aim to provide inside information about well-known artists, others see paparazzi as an act of intrusion and disturbance.
Paparazzi should be banned as it is a nuisance and an invasion of privacy. The individual’s status does not disregard their right to have their personal lives be free from interference.
The photographers constantly partake in an invasion of privacy regarding famous figures. Many of the photographers argue their freedom of the press in regards to their right to publish various information and opinions without restraint. They believe they provide for the public interest as their right allows them to attain their images through any action needed. However, the perspective they believe in disregards the fourth amendment of the U.S Constitution. The amendment protects their privacy as it says “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses… against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.” Paparazzi follow various celebrities for hours on end, leading public figures to feel watched or under a camera continuously due to their acts of stalking. This intrusive act has been proven through the emotional distress the photographers have caused among Britney Spears, Jennifer Anniston, and the royal family. As these are only a few instances that exhibit capturing intimate events or moments among the public figures, paparazzi have affected various individuals’ lives poorly.
As the issue arises, safety concerns regarding paparazzi are brought to light as well. They defend their actions as they claim their images simply provide to the public in regards to celebrity culture and the entertainment industry. However, their intrusive behavior should not be disregarded in order to bring attention to a celebrity’s announcements. Their actions continuously endanger public figures as an attempt to capture a photo that may easily be forgotten by the public in the near future. The tragic incident of 1997 emphasizes the harm conveyed by these photographers. Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed lost their lives due to paparazzi pursuing their vehicle at high speeds in the city of Paris. Their aggressive behavior led to a severe car accident, killing both individuals almost instantly. No amount of restraining orders or papers of proof of trespassing were able to stop the increase in accidents with public figures. In the year 2022, Hailey Bieber is pushed around by various paparazzi photographers, leading the dangers to be apparent in recent years as well. This not only highlights safety concerns, but questions the photographer’s morals regarding one’s life.
In consideration of the moral values one may hold, the idea of professional ethics arose. Some continue to argue for their photography to increase revenue for media outlets in addition to the content they provide. They believe their behavior is justified due to their contribution to the economy and the industry. However, their involvement with the media also considers their reputation and ethics as paparazzi. Instead of helping the economy through their images, their actions continue to clash with various professional ethics such as responsibility, respect, and honesty. The concern grows as the idea of paparazzi was meant to inform others about what’s trending, not to harm those who bring the trend to life. Regarding the idea of morality, paparazzi fail to achieve professional expectations for the photographers they claim to be.
The harassment of public figures, exploitation of vulnerable moments, and lack of informed consent all damage the reputation of the media industry as a whole. The entertainment industry thrives from the material they receive from various external sources. In spite of this, paparazzi is an incredibly problematic way to feed content into the media. Those who wish to be updated on their favorite artists must understand the harm of photographers intruding on one’s personal life and imagine it as if it were their own. The government itself must enforce stricter privacy laws to address paparazzi. As the media establishes codes of conduct and legal measures are taken for those subjected to the photographers, public figures will be able to live freely as the rest. Considering the rate of paparazzi, banning it all together will highlight the correct ethical procedures for celebrity news. As the public, raising awareness for the intrusive acts will be the first step towards a change.
Works Cited:
“4th Amendment.” Legal Information Institute, Legal Information Institute, www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxiv. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.
“The Press Pack That Chased Diana.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 7 Apr. 2008, www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/apr/07/paparazzi.
