New Anti-Paparazzi Law To Take Effect In January 2010

Could it be?  No more car chases? No more shots of stars with babies?  Watching those babies turn into toddlers? No more shots of stars going to Starbucks?  Whatever will we do for entertainment?

Governor Schwarzenegger just signed the toughest anti-paparazzi law ever.  Perhaps because he and his wife were frequent paparazzi targets, perhaps because he is a little sick of all the car crashes.  Perhaps because he is not an idiot.  Who knows?

In 2005 he signed a law that allowed for huge fines against paparazzi found guilty of assaulting a picture subject and could force photographers to hand over income from any photos taken during an altercation.  He recently expanded that law to include civil law suits against media outlets that publish photos snapped illegally. 

“The organizations that publish celebrity photos have always been shielded from liability if the paparazzo broke any laws in the act of getting the photo,” said Sean Burke, founder of The Paparazzi Reform Initiative. Mr. Burke is a former body guard who says he saw the abuses and danger of paparazzi photography up close and formed the organization to “restore order to our streets” for celebrities and normal people alike.  The measure, Burke said in a statement, “doesn’t solve the entire paparazzi problem, but we’re heading in the right direction.”

A challenge by First Amendment advocates is expected.  The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, issued this comment: "Though it is nearly impossible to bring a successful case against a paparazzi under the old law, media advocates worry its expansion to include third-party media outlets could have a chilling effect on news gathering."

“Nobody is ever going to be able to successfully prosecute one of these actions,” said Tom Newton, general counsel at the California Newspaper Publishers Association. “Nevertheless, the initiation of even meritless lawsuits has a chilling effect on legitimate news gatherers.”

Legitimate News Gatherers? The Paparazzi?  Really?

source, source

 

Comments

[Angela]

The idea of not being able to see an Olsen twin in a gypsy skirt carrying a venti white chocolate mocha has a chilling effect on me.

[DianaCLT]

Great idea - but also very convenient for the governator...maybe this way, people will stop coming up with pics of his wife driving while illegally talking on her cell.

[DianaCLT]

Great idea - but also very convenient for the governator...maybe this way, people will stop coming up with pics of his wife driving while illegally talking on her cell.

[Angela]

It's about time.

But I admit I'll be shocked if this actually ends up doing anything to inhibit the paparazzi.

[indycitygirl]

They are just like the gnats here in the deep South,ya cant see the little bastards but they are swarming around being pains in the arse(like the paparazzi).It will only make the paparazzi think of even better,scarier ways to get a photo