Celebrity Invasion

Today's society is so wrapped up in the latest news from Hollywood. Whether fact or fiction, gossip spreads like wildfires through magazines, online postings, the television and other tabloids. The journalists who write these columns have the power of freedom of speech and can more or less write anything they want; but how do they acquire the daily scoop if it is not attainable? They invade. Journalists rely on their being the first to write the latest news, and in order to do so, will go to whatever means necessary. They must use their own judgment in balancing what lengths of invasion to go to, versus their own moral and ethical values. The constant bombardment of celebrities has lead to many out lashes in recent times and has forced us to ask ourselves where to draw the line.

Brenda Almond the co-founder of the Society for Applied Philosophy, defines ethics as "the philosophical examination, from a moral standpoint, of particular issues in private and public life that are matters of moral judgment". Is it ethically correct for journalists and photographers to cross the lines of morality and the law? Trespassing upon a person or property is a part of tort law and is punishable by fines or even jail time in severe cases. Black’s Law Dictionary defines the right of privacy as the right to be "free from unwarranted public scrutiny or exposure". There is, however, a loophole that exemplifies celebrities from this law. As Public Figures, those who are deemed “famous” do not comply with the regulations as they put themselves in the limelight and in doing so, are asking to be followed.

Invasion of privacy by the paparazzi has become extremely over the top lately. From climbing walls and fences, to waiting outside houses and even stalking celebrities and their family and friends; photographers and journalists are breaking the law by intruding others' properties. In order to avoid such hassles, celebrities have been forced to use decoys, wear disguises, send multiple cars to destinations and provide fake names and information when making bookings. We are led to question whether, in the reverse circumstances, the paparazzi would appreciate the cameras and obsessive behavior.

“Heat magazine's a dirty, filthy piece of sh-t and I'd like to put that on record. People shouldn't buy it because it sucks… If a guy comes up and asks me, 'Can I take a picture of your daughter?' that's one thing. But if he's hiding behind a bus and he takes a picture of me and my daughter he's legally allowed to publish that photo in the press. I have no rights to stop him and I think that's wrong. I think we should encourage people to beat up paparazzi".

- Ewen McGregor, 2003