"Do the Paparazzi Have Too Much Freedom?"

Today, I read the debate in Upfront Magazine called "Do the Paparazzi Have Too Much Freedom?" which discussed whether paparazzi's are going to overly extreme lengths to get news stories. This sometimes results in deadly accidents harming them and the people around them.

One side of the debate believes, "we should pass laws to protect the public and prevent paparazzi from stalking stars." Sean Burke, a member of The Paparazzi Reform Initiative, argues that the paparazzi are dangerous to everyone around them. "They'll often speed, run stop signs and traffic lights, and even drive on the wrong side of the road." He believes that all they care about is money and have no regard for any rules or the safety of anyone. For example, in January, "a photographer who had been chasing Justin Bieber's white Ferrari on a Los Angeles highway was hit by a car and killed." Not only can the paparazzi themselves be hurt/killed, but in 1997, Princess Diana was killed in a car accident when trying to avoid the paparazzi.

But on the other side of the debate, Gabe Rottman, from the American Civil Liberties Union, believes that "press freedom for paparazzi is the price we pay for aggressive and independent news-gathering." The First Amendment in the Constitution of the United States, states that the paparazzi have the right to freedom of the press. Gabe also argues that, "though it may be inconvenient to be followed by photographers, celebrities benefit enormously from the publicity." This much is true. Without the press following celebrities around and getting people interested in their lives, many celebrities wouldn't be as famous or successful as they are. Lastly, Rottman argues that even if they do it anyway, "the paparazzi don't have the right to break the law." He agrees with Sean Burke that people can get hurt from the effect of the paparazzi, but believes that they overall help us get news we deserve to see/hear.

I agree with both sides of the debate. I believe, along with Sean Burke, that more restrictions need to be set in order to protect celebrities, paparazzi, and the people around them. But I also agree with Gabe Rottman that nothing can be done preventing them from doing the jobs they have. The police should crack down on paparazzi committing illegal actions, such as breaking in, or speeding, but the paparazzi should have the right to do whatever they want to get pictures or stories, as long as it's legal and not  harming anyone.