After a car crash in Beverly Hills, Nicole Richie reaches her breaking point putting the blame on the paparazzi. She told the courts she fears for both her and her infant children’s lives.
Her request for a three-year restraining order against two photographers, Eduardo Arrivabene and Ivon Emilio Melo Miguel, was granted by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Carol Boas Goodson. The men agreed to stay 50 yards away from Nicole Ritchie and her family.
Richie claims the paparazzi have trespassed on her property, invading both her family’s privacy and safety.
Miguel apologized on the stand and told Richie he would no longer take her pictures if she didn’t want him to. Both Richie and her husband, Joel Madden, agreed that they did not want their photos taken by Miguel or Arrivabene.
Goodson expressed her concerned about inhibiting Arrivabene and Miguel’s First Amendment rights, however because both men agreed to abide by the restrictions of the restraining order, her worries faded and the ruling became final.
I agree with the ruling made by Judge Goodson. Not only do the paparazzi put their own lives at risk when pursuing a “car chase” to get that million dollar photo, but they are putting the celebrity and civilians lives at risk as well.
Although the first Amendment protects the paparazzi, it does not give them the right to be reckless; the rules of the road must still be followed.
I do believe that celebrities must pay the price of fame by putting up with the paparazzi and having their photos taken, but I also think there should be a limit to the paparazzies liberties.
When they overstep their boundaries and invade a persons’ space, there needs to be a consequence. The first Amendment protects freedom of speech and press, but that should not allow the press to take pictures of celebrities in their homes or be within touching distance of them that make the celebrities feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
I think all paparazzi should keep a 50 yard distance from those they are following, and where they can take pictures should be limited to public places; not in or around the homes of the celebrities.
Link to Nicole Richie’s car crash
