Invasion of Privacy: Entertaining or Despicable?

Paparazzi are notorious for invading privacy. These days, the world is so desperate for some sort of entertainment, that magazines and celebrity gossip sites pay people to invade celebrities’ privacy and document their private lives for the world to see. The question, though, is why nothing has happened to change this. Why don’t celebrities get to have their privacy? It’s a human right, and just because they’re famous and known world wide, doesn’t mean that their privacy should be sacrificed.

Stephen Price, a lawyer from New Zealand, writes on his website about the invasion of privacy of celebrities. He states, “Public figures have lower expectations of privacy, especially if they are exercising public power.” Because of this, the public figures’ families and known associates also need to lower their expectations, “But this cannot be taken too far.” Price explains how stating a celebrity as a ‘role model’ does not mean that their confidentiality should be compromised, unless they have done something truly serious or deceptive.

Elizabeth Knight-Hassell, an 8th grade student, says, “People are so needy for gossip and knowing about other people’s lives and it’s not right, because on the other side, what do the other people feel?” Her opinion on this matter indicates that while it can be entertaining to see celebrities living their lives, invading their privacy is taking it too far. 

People look to magazines to entertain themselves, because why else would they enjoy looking at pictures of bewildered celebrities, trying to hide themselves from the cameras which would document whatever embarrassing deed they were doing? This is a sick form of entertainment, as you are basically amusing yourself by laughing at someone else’s mess.

Kate Middleton, wife to Prince William, Duchess of Cambridge, was a victim of the invading cameras while sunbathing topless in a family holiday home in France. She was on private property when the picture was taken, from the nearby highway with a long lens camera. The Royal couple were forced to take legal action against the French magazine which had the photos.

By not supporting gossip/rumour sites, you can send out a message to all the paparazzi: stop. When you see an image plastered on the front of multiple magazines and tabloids, put yourself in the subject’s place - what if that was you, your name in the headlines, caught in an embarrassing moment, shielding your face from the world? Encourage others to not purchase magazines that display images of celebrities trying to hide themselves, because that means that the picture was taken without the person’s consent, and by buying it, you would be telling the paparazzi to continue. So, in an effort to end this, say no to the websites and tabloids publishing embarrassing photos, and find another way to entertain yourself, instead of looking at humiliating pictures of other people.

By Kelly