JUSTIN AND MILEY'S CAREER WOULD BE GONE

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THIS AND THAT

Bitching By: James Edstrom

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Justin Bieber

Just some insight on the death of celebrity photographer identified by TMZ as Chris Guerra.

First of all, why is it when you are a celebrity photographer you are always identified as a troublesome paparazzi?  If you were driving by and were from NBC or ABC, would you be called a dangerous TV cameraman? I do not think so. You are there to report the news, this is your job.

Over the years I have been on many stakeouts and several chases which were always started by the celebrity. I remember years ago, when Julia Roberts lived in Gramacy Park and she had just gotten engaged or something like that. Every news media outlet was outside her home, Including all the big networks. We were there for days, she was news and everyone wanted to report on this story. Finally she came out, refused to pose for two seconds and flew away in her limo. Everyone followed, not just because they wanted to report a news story, but because all Julia had to do was pose for two seconds and everyone would have run back to their newsroom, but she did not even give the press the courtesy. A chase ensured and it was Julia's limo driver who went down one way streets the wrong way. In fact, it is almost always the story that the driver of the celebrity creates dangerous conditions. A couple of photographers got hurt in that chase, not because of their actions, but because of her driver.

Now everyone is pulling up the old Princess Diana death. I was the first one to say on 60 Minutes the day Diana died that it sounded like the driver was drunk. This proved to be the case. The driver also was traveling at high speeds. Yet everyone always brings up that the paparazzi killed her. This is so untrue.

Let me tell you something about Princess Diana. When she came to New York City we got 20 page tip sheets from the Palace press people. We were told where she was staying, where she was going and how we were expected to act. Princess Diana loved publicity and she used the media just as much as the media used her. It was a two way street and everyone knew it.

I have seen main stream television crews do worse things than the paparazzi. I have seen them chase, climb fences and anything else to get the story. But no one ever mentions this, because they are considered upper-class, compared to the photographers. Celebrity Photographers are the best news sources when a big story hits. Where main stream media will spend a hour broadcasting live from the scene, photographers will spend days to get the real story, and then the mainstream media will pick up on all the photographers work. 

Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus used the media before they were famous to get press. When we gave them the press, they become impossible to photograph anymore and look down on us like we are scum. What would happen if every photographer and writer in the media decided to not photograph and write about them anymore? I can tell you. Their records and videos would not sell anymore and their career would be finished.

What would happen if we boycotted a big movie star and did not write or photograph his premieres? The answer is that the movie star would not get paid the big bucks anymore and his career would be finished. The media makes these people stars, it's not just their talent. 

STATEMENT FROM JUSTIN BIEBER

"While I was not present nor directly involved with this tragic accident, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim," the "Boyfriend" singer said in statement.

Bieber said he hoped the incident "will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders, and the photographers themselves."

STATEMENT FROM MILEY CYRUS

Singer Miley Cyrus, 20, a frequent paparazzi target, sent out Twitter messages, referencing the death of Britain's Princess Diana in a 1997 car crash while being chased by paparazzi in Paris.

"Hope this paparazzi/JB accident brings on some changes in '13 Paparazzi are dangerous! Wasn't Princess Di enough of a wake up call?!" Cyrus tweeted.

"This was bound to happen! Your mom teaches u when your a child not to play in the street! The chaos that comes with the paparazzi acting like fools makes it impossible for anyone to make safe choices," Cyrus added.

 Well Justin and Miley, think about it if we all decide not to cover you anymore. You will be finished!



Photo By: RD/Kabik/Retna