Los Angeles city councilman aims to restrict paparazzi

In light of the need for a Los Angeles Police Department-led motorcade to escort troubled singer Britney Spears through a crowd of paparazzi to the hospital last week, Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine has introduced a motion for stricter limitations on the paparazzi.

The motion calls for a “minimum ‘personal safety zone’ of several feet of clear space between paparazzi and the individuals they are photographing, including their vehicles."

Tom Newton, general counsel for the California Newspaper Publishers Association, called the motion “the bubble proposal,” explaining it would essentially place a bubble around celebrities. He questioned the constitutionality of preventing someone from proximity to another, in a public place.

Newton said he doubts this motion will pass. Aside from the constitutionality question, California’s current anti-paparazzi act “already attempts to constitutionally limit intrusive behavior.”

The motion, which would affect all media, not just aggressive photographers, calls on the city attorney to report back to the council in 30 days with a more complete proposal.