Does The Press Violate The Privacy of Famous People?

It is known that the press sometimes oversteps when it comes to the lives of famous people. The press is known to get what they need and want no matter what the consequences may be. The media’s main goal is to receive a lot of attention and notice from the public, and sometimes having this goal can lead these people to lose all sense of respect for anybody. The press in today’s society are perceived as stalkers and inhumane for their insensitive questions and actions.

In 2013, famous rapper Kanye West was shown aggressively cursing at paparazzi after the press showed up at Kanye’s home unannounced at 4 o’clock in the morning. This is just one example of the many things the press does in order to catch a glimpse of the life of a celebrity. Now in the state of California, it is prohibited for the press to trespass on private privacy. Paparazzi are said to use their “job” as an excuse for disrespectful actions and disturbing behavior towards public figures. Paparazzi can make up to $250 dollars for a good quality picture of a celebrity and $10,000 for a very exclusive picture. With these prices being the results of exclusive pictures, paparazzi feel a bigger need to continue their insensitive actions towards celebrities.

Nowadays, with the rise of social media, many hire photographers to meet them at their location to get staged photos taken. With this now happening, paparazzi are not wanted around as much anymore. In many interviews you see celebrities commenting on how they don’t feel like they are able to live a private and safe life anymore. Celebrities with a huge platform, such as the Kardashians, will hire security to be with them at all times and even have them securing their homes. Even though privacy invasion comes with fame, some feel that should be better handled because at the end of the day these celebrities are just as human as anyone else. The press’s methods are outdated and do not fit the society we live in today. The paparazzi will do whatever it takes to get what they need, even if it means making others look bad. Publicists have twisted around what celebrities will say to achieve the perfect headline to attract people’s attention.

Some of these articles will dramatize things, and often these sorts of false articles make celebrities look bad and can even ruin things in their personal life. The press is a toxic community and causes celebrities to feel the need to stay inside their home at all times rather than being out in public. In 2005, singer, Britney Spears, was seen walking with her 6-month old newborn where she was followed by a crowd of paparazzi until she sat down inside a restaurant. She cried holding her baby due to the overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety because of the situation she was in.

Actor Tom Holland said, “One of the downsides of fame is that your privacy isn’t really in our control anymore, and a moment that you think is between two people that love each other very much is now a moment that is shared with the entire world”, after he was caught kissing actress Zendaya in a car. Celebrities aren’t even allowed to enjoy a dinner with friends or family without having paparazzi standing a couple feet away. Privacy is something that is taken away from you when you become a well known person, but it can be managed. Unfortunately, with paparazzi around at all times, it becomes almost impossible to get any sort of privacy.

The press has moments where it can be appreciated and accepted, such as award show events, but more times than not they are doing things like showing up late at night outside your home to spreading false rumors and allegations about somebody. The press needs to find new ways to get their information without violating the privacy of these celebrities. They tend to forget that they are regular people with just a little different lifestyle.