Paparazzi Go Too Far

Only available on StudyMode
  • Download(s) : 274
  • Published : November 19, 2012
Open Document
Text Preview
When the Paparazzi Go Too Far
1. Introduction
Everyone who is interested in pop culture and the entertainment industry knows who the paparazzi are. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, the term paparazzi is defined as “a free lance photographer who aggressively pursues celebrities for the purpose of taking candid photographs.” The term actually came from a film from the 1960’s called ‘La Dolce Vita’, directed by Federico Fellini. A character in the film was a news photographer named Paparazzo. Paparazzi target celebrities and public figures that are in the spotlight. In recent years, the paparazzi have taken their job of snapping photos to another extent. They will go to any length to get the shot of a celebrity, even if that means stalking a celebrities’ every move. The media’s intrusive and insistent attention towards celebrities has caused celebrities to lose their privacy. An anti-paparazzi law is the best solution to help celebrities and public figures who entertain us gain their rights and privacy back. 2. Power of the Media

Its almost impossible for us not to be under the power by the media. Every event that happens in the world is brought to everyone’s attention faster with the technology that has enhanced our way of receiving media. The media is everywhere we turn and it makes us question how we will be able to control the media so that its a proper influence on our lives. 2.2 Celebrity Infatuation

If you go into any store that sells magazines you will find a large selection of magazines that are just devoted to celebrities and gossip. We live in a time where there is a significant difference between the rich and the poor and there are so many of us that want to know the latest on people who live in the spotlight (1). Most people do not think of celebrities of being just like normal people. We think about their shiny cars, designer clothing, and huge mansions, but we never stop to think beyond all the glitz and glamour, of what they are like as people. Many people are obsessed with celebrity gossip because they like to know whether a celebrity is going through a money crisis, divorce or fight with another celebrity which is kind of sick in a way because, why should we care? It’s their life and why should we butt into their personal lives? People love celebrity gossip for pretty much the same reasons people like to watch TV drama series. Watching somebody live their life publicly and do things “regular” people do every day gives people a way to relate (1). Celebrity gossip that may be considered “good” is most times something that a celebrity has done that is embarrassing or frowned upon (1). It’s almost like when someone laughs at another person who tripped and fell. Many celebrities sacrifice a measure of their privacy by virtue of their celebrity status and by the decision they made when they stepped into the spotlight and the attention of the paparazzi is a side effect of this decision. But, the paparazzi take their job to the next level by going too far. 2.2 Paparazzi Go Too Far

Celebrities lose their rights of privacy by putting themselves in the public eye. It’s normal to have paparazzi taking photos of celebrities at appearances and events but during their daily and personal life is where the paparazzi go too far. There is no way a member of the paparazzi could sneak into or around your house and take pictures of you and get away with it. Celebrities shouldn’t be any different. They should have the right to keep their life private because they are human beings and anyone else wouldn’t like the world to know what you were eating every day, when you went to the bathroom and how you looked at the beach.

Paparazzi have even caused tragic deaths; for example Princess Diana’s. Princess Diana’s death was a tragic event that was felt around the world. She died in a car crash that was partially caused by the high-speed chase of the paparazzi in a Paris tunnel on August...
tracking img