Proposed Hawaii Anti-Paparazzi Law Makes Photogs Shutter

The Hawaii Senate is expected soon to vote on a proposed anti-paparazzi bill that already has been approved by the Aloha State's Senate Judiciary Committee, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Web site (www.rcfp.org) reported.

Aging rockers Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac testified on behalf of the proposed measure, which would enable individuals on their private property to sue photographers for invasion of privacy if snapped while participating in "personal or family activities." The bill bans the use of telephoto lens and cutting edge camera and recording devices to view individuals on private property.

The bill closely resembles California's Anti-Paparazzi Act enacted in 1999 [Calif. Civ. Code Sec. 1708.8]. The National Press Photographers Assn. and the RCFP are among media organizations who condemned the proposed statute as being violative of the First Amendment.

With the strong backing of Tyler & Fleetwood, "TUOL" believes it only fair that the 1981 Hawaii Legislature should decide the bill's fate.