Paparazzi and Media Ethics.

PAPARAZZI, (originally Paparazzo/Paparazza) is an Italian term used to refer to photojournalists who specialize in candid photography of celebrities, politicians, and other prominent people. Paparazzi tend to be independent contractors, unaffiliated with a mainstream media organization. Today, the subject of paparrazi's acts is a highly controversial and debatable subject that tends to not settle down among people.

Privacy…an aspect of life that us “ordinary folks” often take for granted. We are not plagued by fears of someone rummaging through our garbage and analyzing our latest Safeway purchases. Nor are we in a constant state of worry over what people are saying about us, thinking about us, and seeing of us. But this isn’t the case in Hollywood, where nothing is typical. In fact, this isn't the case with celebrities anywhere! Today, celebrities are flocked by herds of ferocious photographers and reporters, and the aspect of privacy goes straight out the door. But how far is too far? What are the ethics of invading the privacy of the rich and famous? Is is totally legal to invade their privacy or should it be strictly illegal?

Perez Hilton, a blogger who has become famous for blogging, would say they are fair game. He happily flaunts the flaws and misfortunes of celebrities by showing the latest panty-less party of Britney Spears and the naked naughtiness of Vanessa Hudgens. Hilton isn’t the only one, as the industry of celebrity obsessing has grown to an obscene degree with the Usweeklys, Peoples, and In touchs of today’s newsstands. Last March, the celebrity news blog Gawker.com began taking advantage of the Google Maps tool to show exactly where and when a star was spotted just moments after a sighting.

But for celebrities, the industry of obsessing over their everyday routines is invasive and often dangerous. Earlier this month, video obtained by tmz.com showed George Clooney scolding paparazzi for driving recklessly while following him on his motorcycle. "What they're doing is illegal," said Clooney in an interview on Entertainment Tonight. "It's high-speed chases and they're competing with each other. They're not trying to catch me doing something stupid, they're trying to create me doing something stupid. You don't get to break all these laws and then say, 'I'm just doing my job.'" And although some would argue that they asked for this, because they are in the spotlight, it is the degree to which it has been taken, that has gone to far. "You can drive all you want, you can take my picture all you want, but what you cannot do is put people in danger," said Clooney.

Famous victims of the yellow journalism and paparazzi are many, but names like, Lady Diana, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, stand out when it comes to paparazzi.
Here are some videos of how annoying paparazzi can get to celebs.:
PS: Apoligies for the curses and bad words.


1- Hugh Grant angry at the cameraman:

2- Michael Jackson speaks with Barbara Walters about his suffering with paparazzi:

3- Britney spears gets chased out by nuts paps!:

IT IS YOUR RIGHT; UNTIL IT BUMPS INTO ANOTHER PERSON'S RIGHT.

The Paparazzi might be just doing their job, and they have the freedom of press, however, not until it intrudes with people's rights of privacy. Personal privacy is one internationally recognized citizen right in most of the countries constitutions. However, the question that seems to bother all people and makes people argue and take positions is:
         
ARE THOSE CELEBRITIES, JUST ORDINARY CITIZENS? Do they still enjoy the privacy rights although they agreed to publicize themselves, thus; their lives?

Whatever the case, according to me, no matter the way, the approach, or the justification, paparazzi should be stopped! Celebrities in the end are human beings, and should enjoy equal rights like all other people of the world. Being exposed to the public doesn't have to mean exposing the 'personal life' as well. Celebrities' only deman over decades have been that one simple demand; "Please keep our personal lives out of the picture, otherwise; the rest is yours to expose."
The word paparazzi is itself an ill-reputed term due to the fact that they are not ethical reporters or journalists. To me, they are people dedicated to just invade the privacy of the well-known figures and celebrities. Those people are nothing close to being real journalists as they don't show the characteristics of a journalist/reporter. I'm not throwing the blame on the paparazzi themselves, but the concept itself is wrong and media companies should stop relying on it whatsoever.