This whole issue is about privacy.

Where does the right to individual privacy and the right for the public to see your pictures, balance. Having a private meal together should have been private. Doesn't excuse assaulting a camera man or taking their camera, but individuals (whether famous or not) deserve some level of privacy. In my mind a private meal counts as this and it should be an offense to harrass anyone when they are engaged in privately living their life. That includes eating, shopping, walking their dog, collecting their kids from school, etc. Public events or large private functions where photographers are invited should be fair game. It's then up to the celebraity to decide if they want to attend.

Paul.

"Having a private meal together should have been private."

Is a public meal private? Is walking out of a public restaurant private?

Nah, these people function in a "see or be seen" world. They go to these restaurants and bars because they are high-end haunts. They just want to pick and choose who is allowed to see them. I can't do that in public, and as long as they aren't endangered or abused in some way, neither do they.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said:

My right to throw a punch ends
where the other guy's nose begins.

Not surprising in the least.

I have to agree with BakerStreet here. If they choose to go "out" to a chic LA spot they are choosing to place themselves, yet again, in the public eye. I don't agree with the photographers, and frankly societies celebrity worship sort of sickens me, but it exists and Cameron knew it did before she choose a career in the spotlight.

I don't like the paparatizi.

Indeed. They killed Princess Di.

So far that I know, Paparazzi is the lowest scum low-life of media.

I'm pretty strong fan of William Sharter. If he happened to be eating at same place as me, I wouldn't walk over. Maybe I will wave but thats it.

Snob voice:
Yeah paparazzi are really annoying! Aah please, i cant give autographs right now! No flashes, it irritates my precious eyes!


I'm jkn, i know stars also deserve a little privacy, just because they went to a restaurant doesnt mean they should be buggered.

Her punishment should be...?

Have an angry blog written about her.

hitparade:

I also feel you should respect a person's privacy. I was in an out of the way mall once and Isaiah Thomas, then a big basketball star walked by me with his 2 kids. He knew I knew who he was and was tensing for the "autograph" session. I winked at him to let him know there would be no such scene including me.

The line between the public and personal is very poorly defined, but I have always thought that when someone is at work (on the set for a an actor or actress) then they are fair game for the public, otherwise, they have a right to their life.

As for doing damage to someone, that would depend on the law and the damage.

This kind of thing has happened before and will happen again. Stars and photographers have a symbiotic relationship. Photographers wouldn't have a job without stars to photograph and as soon as they quit photographing you a star's career is ending.It's a fine line. Those guys with observatory-sized telescopic lenses trying to get a topless shot should be bitch-slapped, but if you are in a restaurant you are by legal definition in a public place.
That said, being drunk or in a bad mood is no excuse for assulting someone.Hitparade hit the nail on the head.

I'm fairly sure the US constitution gaurentees equality. Why should I be allowed to go to a restaurant without being constantly hassled by photographers but Cameron Diaz can't?

Yes, she's a movie star, but so what?

Where does it end? What about going to school to pick up the kids?

No people should have a right to privacy, and that should include being able to go to a restaurant and eat a meal with the boyfriend, without being hassled by photographers.

Paul.

Have any of you people actually ever been out in hollywood and seen how the paparazzi works?

I have, and they're a pack of blood thirsty Jackals! I agree with the point that if you live in the spotlight you gotta put up with some of the media bugging you when you venture out in public, but these morons not only step over the line, the erase it. They are paid by the pic, the more controversial the shot...the better the $$$. They bait celebs, sports figures, and even politicians.

Personally, i have no love for either celebs or the media, but they are citizens for the most part, and they do have a right to privacy just like you and i do.