California crack-down on paparazzi
by Anna Johns, posted Jan 3rd 2006 5:22PM
The
new year brings a new law to California that punishes overzealous paparazzi (is there any other kind?). Arnold
Schwarzenegger proposed the law, after numerous reports this year that people like Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett
Johanssen, Paris Hilton, and Lindsey Lohan were being run off the road by photographers. The governator himself was
even run off the road by photographers. The new law prohibits photographers and videographers from assaulting anyone in
an attempt to get a photo. That includes the subject of the photo and the general public, which is usually forcefully
pushed aside when a celebrity is walking down the street. If convicted, paparazzi will have to pay triple damages and
give up any money made off the photos. The law also allows publishers who buy and print the photos to also be liable.
The Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney started off the new year by putting out a call to all celebrities to contact
his office when they are assaulted by paparazzi.