Celebrity Children And The Paparrazzi

[sp1814]

Newspaper pictures of celebrities with their kids always have the children's faces blurred out to conceal their identities (which is understandable).

But what rules govern when the kids can be shown? How is it decided? Is it when they get to a certain age, or if the parents bring them to a public event (such as a film premiere)?

[joannie10]

sorry I cannot answer your question but have often wondered this too. I have regularly seen for example pictures of the Beckham kids but yesterday I was reading a popular celebrity gossip mag and their faces were blocked out. i wondered if they only have given the rights to some magazines or perhaps they have given the rights to be photographed at certain times - ie You can take our pics on the ski slope on such and such a date but must leave us a lone for the rest of the month!?!

[Buenchico]

There's no law, as such, relating to this. The confidentiality of celebritys' children is usually maintained, however, in order to comply with paragraph 6(v) of the Press Complaints Commission's Code of Conduct:

"6. Children:
i) Young people should be free to complete their time at school without unnecessary intrusion.

ii) A child under 16 must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another child�s welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents.

iii) Pupils must not be approached or photographed at school without the permission of the school authorities.

iv) Minors must not be paid for material involving children�s welfare, nor parents or guardians for material about their children or wards, unless it is clearly in the child's interest.

v) Editors must not use the fame, notoriety or position of a parent or guardian as sole justification for publishing details of a child�s private life."

Source:
http://www.pcc.org.uk/cop/practice.html

Chris

[sp1814]

Joannie10/Buenchio - thank you for your responses. I'd been wondering about that for a while - especially the point Joannie10 made (sometimes faces are published and sometimes they aren't). I suppose it's down to the judgement of the editor - does it comply with PCC rules etc.

Cheers!