Paparazzi/Harrassment/Stalking/First Amendment

[starduster]

We all know stalking etc is illegal (I hope!) Yet, on any given day in L.A, certain celebrities have paparazzi following them 24/7. How is this behavior NOT considered stalking under the US law? (I know stalking involves 3 parts and most paparazzi don't have 'malicious intent', so does this mean they aren't stalking? if so, what are they doing and how does the law deal with it?). If not, is it considered harrassment? What are the punishments for this behavior? How can celebrities protect themselves?


Also, many photos of celebrities in tabloids are highly embarassing and the meanings of the photos can be altered (e.g texts around a celebrity buying a donut that say things like "shortly after, she went into the bathroom, she must have gone to throw it up" etc). Can they not sue for defamation of character?

And why does it seem celebrities do not need to give their consent to have their (or their kids) pictures put all over magazines?
I understand that anyone can take a picture of you in public but don't you need to give the photographer permission if they want to use your photo to make money from? Why don't they ask permission from celebrities?

I am writing a paper on paparazzi and any feedback would be fantastic!

Thank you so much
Jess

[tswift]

Originally Posted by starduster We all know stalking etc is illegal (I hope!) Yet, on any given day in L.A, certain celebrities have paparazzi following them 24/7. How is this behavior NOT considered stalking under the US law? (I know stalking involves 3 parts and most paparazzi don't have 'malicious intent', so does this mean they aren't stalking? if so, what are they doing and how does the law deal with it?). If not, is it considered harrassment? What are the punishments for this behavior? How can celebrities protect themselves? Also, many photos of celebrities in tabloids are highly embarassing and the meanings of the photos can be altered (e.g texts around a celebrity buying a donut that say things like "shortly after, she went into the bathroom, she must have gone to throw it up" etc). Can they not sue for defamation of character? And why does it seem celebrities do not need to give their consent to have their (or their kids) pictures put all over magazines? I understand that anyone can take a picture of you in public but don't you need to give the photographer permission if they want to use your photo to make money from? Why don't they ask permission from celebrities? I am writing a paper on paparazzi and any feedback would be fantastic! Thank you so much Jess

Members of the media do push thier rights to the limit at times. I agree, it's rediculous. Law makers must, IMO, try to find away to protect all people from being disturbed by the media. Within reason......