Our essay is devoted to the investigation of the burning social question, whether or not celebrities have a right to a private life? In our research, we used empirical evidence based on the questionnaire method. This technique of investigation allowed us to obtain real objective figures of points we are interested in. The reasons for research making are the following.
The modern tempo of life supported by innovations and improvements almost in all spheres of life determined human satisfaction almost in every possible material value. The only thing people always desired is “bread and circuses”. Fortunately, present-day show-business development allows satisfying even the most unusual people’s preferences. However, here are the negative sides. People do not limit their interest by only the creative work of their idol, but touch the intimate part of celebrities’ life. Here arises a question: whether or not celebrities have a right to a private life?
Generally, then we can identify three inter0related aspects to the star-as-celebrity. First, it is the public circulation through the mass media of information about the putative “real” private life of the star that sustains the celebrity.
Second? The notion of intertextuality – the construction, circulation, and access of information across a whole range of media platforms – not only describes the form and practice of celebrity, but also a primary focus of research precisely insofar as “it is the audience’s access to and celebration of intimate information from a variety of texts and sources which are important in this mode of stardom.
Third, and perhaps more crucially, whereas traditional models of stardom emphasize the film text as the primary site of stardom, or at least the place where the star image is completed, the celebrity mode forestalls the primacy of the films themselves insofar as it constitutes a mode of stardom which does not necessarily involve spectatorship (Nelmes 2003).
We decided to investigate this opinion through empirical evidence.
A survey on the views and attitudes of the private lives of celebrities was conducted amongst the staff and students of the University of Western Sydney College (UWSC). The surveys were distributed between the dates of 19th April 2010 and 26th April 2010. A range of 50 people was asked to fill out a questionnaire titled “Celebrities”. An equal number of 25 males and 25 females between the ages of 18 years old to over 40 years old were randomly selected to participate in the survey. An equal amount of males and females were selected to compare the data collected.
The questionnaire consisted of seven questions in total. The questionnaire provided 3 multiple-choice questions, 3 long response questions, and 1 ranking question. The questions asked were as simple as possible and were designed as unisex questions (for both males and females). Significant questions were opinion-based to determine attitudes and viewpoints of the differing genders. (See appendix for a copy of questionnaire).
All questionnaires were randomly distributed only to UWSC students and staff. All students and staff who were approached filled out the questionnaire without disinclination. Due to a lack of age group in the area, only people between the ages of 18-35 were approached. All participants were asked during break times so none were disturbed from their daily duties. All participants had a significant amount of time to fill out the survey appropriately and with thought.
After the surveys were answered and collected, the data was tallied and converted to percentages. Graphs were composed to exhibit the findings in a visually attractive manner.
It is evident in this report that celebrities are there to attract, influence, and entertain all sorts of people. However, this is their primary job and does not have to be administered outside of their work. All people need a private life whether they are celebrities or normal people.
It is recommended that strict laws be put into place to help celebrities with their privacy. The paparazzi should not be allowed near celebrities during personal times such as family outings. Finally, these recommendations should apply to everyone, for example, people with camera phones, and not just the paparazzi.
Under the tort of publicity given to private life, one can be held liable for widely publicizing the private affairs of a person that are not of legitimate concern to the public. Publicity, as the term is used in this tort, means the widespread dissemination of information so that it will likely become public knowledge. Showing an intimate photograph of another person to another person would not be considered publicity was given to private life, although publishing it in the newspaper or posting it on the Internet would be (Krages 2006).
In conclusion after public surveying on whether or not celebrities have a right to private life, we can say that the results verify the majority of the public both male and female believe celebrities DO have a right to private life.
Although celebrities may want to be in the limelight as often as possible it is clear they still need their privacy.
Persons of contemporary celebrity
It must be stressed that a right to a private sphere is enjoyed by everyone and therefore also by celebrities. “Private sphere” must be understood not merely spatially, in the sense of private dwelling (flat, house, etc). Rather it also subsists where, for example, someone wishes to eat in a restaurant alone or with friends and the existence thereof a private sphere is quite independent of whether the person is or is not of current notoriety (von Bar 2009).
Appendix
- Males- 25 Altogether Survey Results.
- Females- 25 Altogether Survey Results.
Reference List
Bar, C von 2009, Non-Contractual Liability Arising out of Damage Caused to Another: (PEL Liab. Dam.), Sellier, European Law Publisher.
Krages, BP 2006, Legal Handbook for Photographers: The Rights and Liabilities of Making Images, Amherst Media, Inc.
Nelmes, J 2003, An Introduction to Film Studies, Routledge.