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Surfers Vs. Paparazzi: How Malibu Wants Handle It
Photo by Happy Birthday to Joe Shlabotnik! via Flickr
Two brawls between surfers and paparazzi over the weekend are leading Malibu officials to look more closely into the law regarding 1st amendment rights. "The city of Malibu will do all it legally can to protect and preserve the natural beauty and tranquillity of our town," Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich said in a statement, per the LA Times.
Last month, the Times reported that Malibu was talking to Ken Starr of Clinton scandal fame and dean of the Pepperdine law school about "to help draft a city ordinance that might include 'buffer zones' at certain locations as well as a possible tax on the paparazzi."
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After Britney Spears was given a $25,000 escort by the LAPD earlier this year, LA City Councilman Dennis Zine wanted to look into the possibility of a "safe zone" for celebrities. But even mainstream media jumped in saying it would possibly have effects on everything and LAPD Chief Bratton said the law was suffice to deal with any violations by paparazzi, an assertion the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, who patrol Malibu, believe.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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