Before I say anything, my site has never been and will most likely never be a “pap fee” zone. Honestly, some of my favorite pictures of Rob are snapped by the paps and there are some that are just great conversation starters!
What my college course in Media Law & Ethics taught me is that you really can’t do anything about pictures taken in what are deemed public areas, ex. sidewalks, parks, etc. This is the same whether you are famous or just a Joe Blow off the street. If you are in the middle of the street and I am in the middle of the street, I can take a picture of you and do whatever I want with it. But, there are ethical lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
And I feel that Friday nights pictures crossed a line that was not appropriate, by any means. When people seem genuinely uncomfortable, upset and look like they are about to punch you (I swear I saw that in one picture and ::whispers:: was slightly turned on by potential fighting Rob), then it might be a good time to turn the camera off.
So, I participated in Thinking of Rob‘s post, showing our disdain for the lack of respect shown towards Rob, Bobby and Marcus, as well as all celebrities out there who deal with this. Check out the 300 + fans and websites who got in on this. Here is the pic I sent in:
Yes, that's me. Yes, my hat is SOOOO kick ass! No, you may not borrow it!
Be sure to read the entire post here!
After all this business, I remembered something about a new law in California regarding paps and did some investigating. And did find some good news…
The new California law makes it a crime to take and sell unauthorized photos of celebrities in “personal or familial activity.” Violators face fines up to $50,000. The anti-paparazzi amendment takes effect in January.
That’s from CNN.com and it looks like these photos could fall under the new law. Nothing can be done now, but once January gets here it may be interesting to see if there are any changes in the types of photos we see from paps. Of course, I’m sure that the celebrity would have to follow through and file police reports and such to enforce the laws, which means the only way to have an affect is for the celeb to take action. Cause I’m sure if one celebrity gets a rep for always filing the reports, then paps will start not risking it. It’ll be a fine line, but hopefully may help (at least in California, this does nothing for the rest of the country).
So anyway, this is it. I’m done talking about the photos. I think I’ve said my piece and I may be viewed as hypocritical because I still post some paps pics (because I really DO believe that not ALL of them are bad!), and that’s okay. And personally, I am more then ready for the Rob Drought to begin. That means vacation for him, and everyone deserves a vacation every once in awhile!
December 6th, 2009 at 1:52 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Amber, ♥ me ♥. ♥ me ♥ said: Completely agree! Well said!! RT @AmberRMW: Little Project I Was In. My last &final word on the recent Rob pap pics. http://bit.ly/7dyZdH [...]
December 6th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Amber, I sent you a letter a while back about this. I totally agree that if a celebrity is out and about in public, they are fair game as we would be. It is when they are inside venues, restaurants, or with friends and family that it crosses the line, in my opinion.
Marcus and Bobby’s faces say it all–they look sad.
December 6th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I agree that the pap industry will never stop but like you I find that the Friday pics crossed a line even for paps. Taking pictures might be legal, but that was harrasement and terrorizing!
There is a FB initiative, FOR THE RIGHT TO WALK ONT HE STREET
http://www.facebook.com/pages/For-the-right-to-walk-on-the-street/206178104680?ref=nf
Join, voice your concern and tell your friends.
December 6th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I agree! I sent mine in as well! Yes I do love the hat!!! I had dans green Philadelphia hat on! I do not buy the tabloid mags, I suppose that is my support to the celebs. I do like some of them yes but the ones from Friday night just make me cringe! He’s out with friends! I know I would be pissed off as well!!
December 7th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
good comments. Glad you mentioned the new pap law. I encourage folks to contact Gov. Schwarzenegger’s office (easy to find on google, there’s format to quickly send in an email), thanking him for supporting this law, and for continued support to see it’s enforced. He’s been working on this for a while. People should ask that he continue to support any future laws in this area to protect celebrities, and support the enforcement of this new law in the courts.
the public can’t stop the paps, really unless we stopped looking at their pics entirely. It’s just not going to happen. but public policy makers, like the Gov. of CA can make a difference when they create laws and really care about this stuff. he does.
i think people should speak up, and if we did in large numbers, this will continue to stay on his, and law enforcement’s radar in CA.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I worked for a few years in my own State Capitol and I know the power of the people works well on politicians! The good news about everything that has gone down is laws will soon be in place and if a celeb truly feels violated by the paps, then they will have legal grounds to do something about it.