Thursday 3 January 2013

Justin Bieber calls for tough rules after paparazzo death

The 29-year-old photographer had just snapped shots of Justin Bieber's exotic white Ferrari When He Was struck and killed by a passing car รข?? That death has spurred a renewed discussion over dangers can bring on Themselves paparazzi and the celebrities They chase.

The accident PRompted some teen heartthrob Including the stars himself on Wednesday to renew calls for tougher laws Their to Rein In Their pursuers, though previous urgings Have Been stymied by First Amendment protections.

In a statement, Bieber said his prayers Were With The photographer's family. Ironically, the singer was not even in the Ferrari on Tuesday.

"Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other Necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent bystanders public, and the photographers Themselves," Bieber said in the statement released by Island Def Jam Music Group.

Authorities have withheld the name of the photographer, killed after being hit by a Toyota Highlander, pending notification of relatives.
Much of Hollywood was abuzz about the death, Including Miley Cyrus, who sent several tweets critical of some of the actions of paparazzi and lamenting the unfortunate accident That was "bound to happen."
"Hope this paparazzi / JB Brings accident on some changes in '13," Cyrus said on her Twitter page. "Paparazzi are dangerous! Princess Di Was not enough of a wake-up call?"
Paparazzi roaming the streets of Southern California Have Been commonplace for more than a decade as the shutterbugs looked to land exclusive shots can fetch That Hundreds of Thousands of dollars.
Industry veterans Recalled incidents where paparazzi chasing celebrities Have Been Injured, but They Could not remember a photographer being killed while working.
"Here in the state of California, I'm surprised this Has not Happened before," said Giles Harrison, a celebrity photographer and owner of London Entertainment Group.
Harrison is familiar With The backlash against paparazzi. He and another photographer Were Convicted of misdemeanor false imprisonment and Sentenced to Jail for boxing in Arnold Schwarzenegger and his family sat in Their As They Hummer in 1998.
Citing That incident and the death of Princess Diana, the state Legislature passed its first anti-paparazzi measure a year later. It created hefty civil penalties paid to That Could Be stars Whose privacy was invaded.
Six months ago, a paparazzo was charged with reckless driving in a high-speed pursuit of Bieber and with Violating a separate, 2010 That state law toughened punishment For those who drive dangerously in pursuit of photos for commercial gain.
However, a judge last month dismissed the charges paparazzi law, saying the law was overly broad.
The judge cited problems with the statute, saying it was Activities Aimed at newsgathering protected by the First Amendment, and Lawmakers Should Have Increased penalties for reckless driving target Rather Than Those who photograph celebrities.
City prosecutors said They would appeal the judge's ruling.

The law was PRompted by the experiences of Jennifer Aniston, who provided details to a lawmaker About Being unable to drive away after she was surrounded by paparazzi on Pacific Coast Highway.

On Tuesday, a friend of Bieber's was behind the wheel of the Ferrari When a California Highway Patrol officer pulled over for speeding it along Interstate 405, Authorities said.

"This photographer had evidently been Following the white Ferrari" and When It Was pulled over after sundown I stopped, parked and crossed the street to snap photos, Los Angeles police Detective Charles Walton said.

The photographer stood on a low freeway railing to shoot photographs of the traffic stop over a chain-link fence, Authorities said.

"The CHP officer numerous times Told him it was not safe That for him to be there and to return to his vehicle," Walton said.

There Were no sidewalks or pedestrian crossings along the street where the photographer had parked, so the driver of the car struck him That had no reason to expect a pedestrian, Walton said of the accident.

"It Would Have Been Very difficult for her to see him," the detective said.

It was not clear how fast the time immediately motorist, a 69-year-old woman, was traveling, but she was not believe to be at fault and was unlikely to be cited, police said.

Routinely I said Harrison tells his photographers to Be Safe When they are working.

"In any job You have to exercise a degree of common sense and caution," I said.

Harrison hopes celebrities and paparazzi examine Ensure Their actions to a similar event does not happen again. No photo is worth someone's life, I said.

"Everybody wants to be the first one to get that shot, get that scoop," Harrison said. "But at the end of the day, you can not spend money if you are dead."
 

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