Issues in Mass Communication:

The Followed Princess

by: Toby Austin Taylor

November 21, 1999

Because Diana lived her life in the eye of the public, she was surely no stranger to seeing her pictures appear in magazines, books and yes, tabloids all over the world. However, on the night of her death it is believed that the princess was not being photographed, but stalked. Diana and her current lover Dodi Fayed had just arrived at the Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France and immediately, the paparazzi was on to their scent. Diana went out for some shopping on the Champs-Elysees early on in their stay in France. Although she had been in town for only a few hours, the Range Rover that was taxiing her around was swarmed with journalists and photographers. Dodi was nearing the short end of his temper. When the vehicle arrived back in front of his apartment, one of Fayed's bodyguards pushed one photographer, and hit two others. Perhaps even here, the disgust of the paparazzi could be seen in both victims (Lacayo 1997).

Later that night, Dodi and Diana wanted to go to dinner, but realized that they would be followed. They ate in the hotel, waiting for the media hounds downstairs to disperse. At around 12:20, approximately 20 remained. It was decided that it would be a wise move to send two decoy cars. One was the Ranger Rover seen earlier that day, and one was the personal car of Fayed. The decoy cars worked to an extent, but sure enough, several paparazzos still found the Mercedes carrying the fated couple the paparazzi could be seen in both victims (Lacayo 1997).

Because Dodoi's driver was sent with one of the decoy cars, an employee of the Ritz hotel Henri Paul was driving the Mercedes. As the driver attempted to avoid photographers who were travelling on motorcycles, the speed of the car exceeded 60 miles per hour. Witnesses said the photographers, riding motorcycles, had swarmed the Mercedes sedan before it entered the tunnel along the Seine River, where the crash occurred seconds later.

Perhaps the seven photographers stalking Diana got more than they bargained for when the examined the scene of the accident. Driver Paul Henri was suspended half way through the windshield with the weight of his body pressing against the horn creating a constant death toll. Dodi, who was already dead, was being called for in short breaths from his fatally injured Diana. A trail of blood trickled out of the princess's right ear as she motioned in every direction in her semi-unconscious state (Cox 1999). What did the reporters do? They began, in silence, to take pictures of the crash, focusing most on what would bring them the most money?

Seven photographers were arrested at the scene. Several came up with excuses and others tried to deny that they were following the car. Jaques Langevin of the Sygma agency was one of the paparazzo arrested. He claimed that he never followed the car, but came upon the scene after proceeding across town after a dinner party. On the other hand, one photographer Christian Martinez of the Angeli agency began snapping pictures on arrival at the scene and did not want to quit. According to French police reports, Martinez told an officer, "You're pissing me off. Let me do my work. At least at Sarajevo the cops let me work." Another photographer at the scene was Romuald Rat. He claims that tried to help Diana by feeling her pulse. All of the photographers were banned from journalism until the trial was over. They were charged for manslaughter and failure to assist persons in danger (Sancton 1999).

French investigating magistrates dropped all charges against the "deadly seven". After the recommendations of the state prosecutor, Judges Herve Stephan and marie-Christine Devidal dropped the manslaughter charge because the probe had "not formally established any fault having a definite link with the accident" on the part of the paparazzi. Th failure to assist persons in danger charge was dropped under the auspices that medical personnel arrived on the scene very shortly after the accident. The deaths of Diana and Dodi Fayed are now blamed largely on driver Henri Paul. His blood alcohol level was four times that of legal intoxication (Sancton 1999).

After studying a case such as Diana's one cannot help but raise questions concerning other paparazzi-related incidents. As long as there have been celebrities and tabloids, there have been lawsuits.

The photographers involved in Diana's case were not charged. However, this does not mean that they were not at fault. There have been several documented cases in which stars and celebrities have won suits against the media (specifically the paparazzi). For example, in 1995, film star Alec Baldwin was awarded the right the right to refer to a ever-present camera man as a "stalker" helping the star to achieve a restraining order. Arnold Schwarzenegger was once trapped on the road by two cars containing prying photographers. The incident was dangerous, and strikingly similar to what happened to Diana and her lover. The photographers are facing charges of false imprisonment. Many other celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp have also fought and won battles with the paparazzi. Countless others stongly advocated the "Privacy Protection Act of 1998". Television personalities Michael J. Fox and Paul Rieser felt so strongly about the issue that they testified before a House Committee in efforts to pass the legislation. The writers of the bill state, ""Gathering information, including taking photographs, is First Amendment activity and as such is protected under the Constitution," he said. "Yet, at times, some reporters and photographers cross the line and engage in conduct that is harmful, and that is not protected by the First Amendment" (Bass 1997)

With all of the dangerous run-ins that celebrities have had with the paparazzi, it seems as though Diana's death could be viewed as expected. With many cases involving intruding photographers, many pending, and many destined to happen in the future, the author hopes that something will be done to stop the paparazzi before they do more harm.

Diana was a young woman who lived a large portion of her life with flashes in her face and lies about her in the headlines. These things were surely major catalysts of her untimely death.

When she walked down the aisle of Saint Paul's Cathedral on July 29, 1981 to wed her prince, there was not even an inkling of a doomed ending for Diana. The bells that celebrated her arrival into the public eye drowned out the possible consequences. Britain and the world rejoiced for her. Now?they mourn for her. Perhaps this will make the best headline of all?

This article heralds the tumultuous life of the princess and tells of several heated run-ins with the media and the paparazzi. The article also speaks lightly of the pleasure of the world when Diana was added to the Royal family, and the trauma when she was taken away.

Cox, John W. (1998) Diana. South Florida business Journal (Miami-Dade Edition).

This article reports the massive losses in the tabloid industry after the death of Princess Diana. Losses were over $1.28 million for one quarter. Not only did the industry suffer direct monetary losses, but the value of stock shares for particular companies plumated as well. Obviously, the public felt that the paparazzi was at least partially responsible...

Sancton, Thomas.(1999) "Diana".TIME South Pacific.

This article tells the lucky tale of the several reporter known to be seen at the scene of the accident It includes names of specific photographers and integral players. It also deeply implies that the sole responsiblity of the lethal wreck lies on the deceased sholders of Henri Paul.

Lacayo, Rich and Dari, Julie K.C.(1999) "Who Shares the Blaim?". TIME Australia.

This great article covers man facets of the death of Diana. It includes names and "excuses" given by paparazzi present at the time of the wreck. It also gives time specific details of the days activities done by Diana and Dodi. It gives reactions from French media agencies. It also describes the death scene.

Noah, Timothy and Ackerman, Elise. (1997) "All Steve Coz wants is a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T". US News and World Report.

This article gives a response to the attention given to the paparazzi after the death of Diana, Steve Coz of The National Enquire. Interesting...

BW. (1999) Title CNN -Police probe possible role of paparazzi in Diana's Death. Online: http://cnn.com/WORLD/9708/31/diana.investigation/

This CNN website shows photos of the accident and gives a breakdown of what the reporter saw at the scene.