Give stars a break from the limelight

I strongly believe everyone, including celebrities, has the basic right to privacy under the law.

Stars work their way to the top by entertaining us with music, dance and acting, and they're as entitled to their privacy as anyone else.

The fame, admiration and recognition celebrities get are a result of their hard work. They have to give up time spent with family and friends. I don't think they should have to give up their privacy as well.

The job of paparazzi is to report on celebrities' personal lives, including their romances, past and families. I understand this is their job, but sometimes they go too far. They need to show more respect.

I don't think we should ban paparazzi, but at the same time we should seriously consider celebrities' feelings. They are people, just like us.

Linda Chan Wing-si

From the Editor

Thank you, Linda, for your well-timed letter. At this time of the year we remember the death of Princess Diana, the people's princess, taken from us in a tragic accident involving the paparazzi. It is indeed a good reason to reflect on our own appetite for star gossip.

It is certainly true that were there no market for this sort of thing, it would not exist. But I also believe, to some extent, stars themselves fuel the frenzy. If you take, for example, the birth of Brad and Angelina's twins and the millions of dollars paid for their first photographs, you will see this works both ways.

Perhaps it is best to let the world know we don't care for such things by not buying into any sort of gossip about anyone.

I wonder what other readers think about this issue.

Susan, Editor