In 2022, we are living in a digital era where you can find almost any information on a public figure after a few taps at your phone’s keyboard. Most of us will just click on the latest headline under their name, unaware of the original source. Naturally we will create a quick opinion on that individual based on what is written – the majority of people will not question the credibility of the story.
And since we are living in a digital era, why is it not yet a requirement to admit and share your source of information when publishing an article, to ensure credibility? More often than you realize, information about a ‘celebrity’ will be released based on a tip off, or in other words, someone in a wider circle who wants to sell a story. So whether they are straight lies, dramatized truth or hard facts – the person telling the story should be named, making it possible for people to trace back the words. I know for sure that, if it became a reasonable law for journalists to provide their source, most of the sources would simply not exist anymore, in fear of being exposed.
Anybody that is a fan of pop culture, royals or arts will be able to think of a time when their favorite celebrities had their privacy violated. Without realizing, we are consuming content about these individuals that have facts we wouldn’t want out in public, if they were about ourselves. An unfair result of this is that these celebrities must change things in their lives in order to regain their privacy and protect their family. Take the well known example of the UK monarchy, with Meghan and Harry turning their backs on publicity and duty, and moving their family to a safer, quieter and more private location. This, as we know, was unfortunately fuelled by the unfortunate death of Princess Diana who was killed in an accident involving paparazzi who were breaching safety protocols.
Candid photos taken by paparazzi are dangerous – physically, by giving away private locations, and mentally by causing distress and harm to those involved. Nobody would enjoy being in the celebrity’s shoes, so why has it become so normal to share, encourage and fund the photos? What pleasure do you get from photos of a celebrity running errands? In the US, there are no laws for who you can photograph and when you can do it. The small exception is California, where a law that made it a misdemeanor to photograph the children of celebrities was passed in 2013 – a law that was pushed by Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner.
The paranoia those in the public eye face everyday when they go outside is not something you want to ever experience. Leaving their home, and returning wondering what comments people will make on their outfit, their body, or their partner. Countless times, celebrities have spoken out about their need for privacy. This ranges from begging people not to approach their homes, to pleading for people to stop taking photographs of their children. It hurts them, they are humans, and they deserve respect.
Last year, Gigi Hadid pleaded for press and fans to blur or cover her child’s face when taking photographs and posting them online. She says ”it would mean the world to us, as we take our daughter to see and explore NYC and the world, if you would PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE blur her face out of the images, if and when she is caught on camera.” This message was followed by a series of other celebrities backing up what Gigi had to say, such as Blake Lively and Amal Clooney. Why should stories and photos of their families be published online for everyone to see, just because a parent has a talent?
I personally run the largest instagram fanpage for Jessie J. You can scroll down my page right back to 2013 and see that there is not one single photo taken by paparazzi. I don’t agree with them and I will not share and encourage them. In fact, it makes me quite uncomfortable to see. I am not entitled to these photos of her private, day to day life, I am simply supporting and sharing her talent from a distance. When we open, download and share the paparazzi’s photos, we are creating a demand. A demand for individuals to have their private lives invaded and published.
My question is: When will ‘celebrities’ receive the privacy and respect all humans crave?
ROARA Magazine 