Lindsay Lopez
The Regional Paparazzi Task Force continues to juggle paparazzi regulation with First Amendment rights.
Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich and Los Angeles Councilman Dennis Zine led the second meeting of the Task Force on Thursday. Task Force members representing Los Angeles, Calabasas, Malibu, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills convened at the Malibu Performing Arts Center. In addition to Ulich and Zine, the Task Force is comprised of city council members and law enforcement representatives, as well as representatives from Pepperdine University School of Law.
They discussed the constitutionality of anti-paparazzi measures and allowed members of the public to voice their opinions. Children’s safety and reckless driving were the prevailing concerns.
P.E. instructor Evan “Indy” Moore said that paparazzi surround Point Dume Elementary School and block the flow of traffic a few times per week – sometimes daily. Kelly Meyer read a letter penned by Point Dume principal Chi Kim. The letter detailed a school picnic day during which “a photographer pressed his face against the schoolyard fence and snapped photographs of celebrities picnicking with their families.” Kim also wrote that when photographers are confronted, they drive away with no regard for the school zone speed limit.
Steve McKeever’s son was traumatized after he witnessed paparazzi chase a fellow student’s celebrity father on school property. McKeever posed that schoolyards should reserve an expectation of privacy.
McKeever and the other frustrated locals pushed for a change in legislation.
However, from the meeting’s outset, Zine clarified that the Task Force is not a legislative body, but a body formed to generate dialogue and seek ways to combat the “overaggressive paparazzi.” Task Force members must report to their respective cities if they want to see changes made in their city ordinance.
Furthermore, the Task Force is focused on enforcing current laws to the fullest extent possible, as opposed to drafting new ones. Barry McDonald, associate professor at Pepperdine School of Law, explained the difficulties of passing new content-based laws and claimed that they are likely to be invalidated. In other words, it would be difficult to pass a law that restricts photography in a public school area. Busting paparazzi for reckless driving in a school zone, however, is effective immediately, because existing school zone traffic laws are applicable.
Practical approaches suggested by the representative for Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca include recording license plate numbers, notifying law enforcement before school social events and, if possible, videotaping the paparazzi in action. These measures would assist law enforcement in pursuing paparazzi for vehicle violations and public disturbances.
Paparazzi photographer Shaene Fanton came forward to advocate paparazzi regulations that will help cities decipher between illicit and permitted photography, as well as help generate money.
Fanton proposed a licensing process that would include a background check and fingerprint scan for photographers, which would require a fee. Fanton also suggested that legislation be made to combat car chases and door stepping, which occurs when photographers ambush celebrities as they exit restaurants and stores.
A few individuals claimed that legislative measures to regulate paparazzi are unnecessary. One suggested that celebrities make their own arrangements to ensure the safety of their children, because “they can certainly afford it.” Another argued that restricting photography near a public school violates the First Amendment because it makes no distinction between licensed members of the press and freelance paparazzi photographers.
Mayor Ulrich and Councilman Zine concluded the meeting by introducing the “Citizen’s Guide” to dealing with paparazzi. The guide lists vehicle violations and public disturbances that warrant a call to the police. The guide also lists violations that merit a call to an attorney.
To access the “Citizen’s Guide” to dealing with paparazzi, go to lacity.org.
For a related story, see Sept. 4th Graphic article “Malibu residents aim to make city paparazzi free”
10-06-2008