4. Celebrities, public figures and the media

• Should there be some ethical code when digging into private lives of famous people? Is there any border that shouldn’t be crossed? How can it be defined?

• Who are media recluses? (Provide examples)

Being famous is very difficult. A star should be polite and kind because he or she is an example to be followed for many young people. Also,to my mind, most of the famous people don’t have normal private lives. They don’t see their relatives and friends very often because they are too busy and it is known that a lot of moments from their private life become public.

In fact, many famous people like being discussed all over the world. They think that due to scandals they will be able to get fame, live in the lap of luxury and have a lot of money. Anyway, that is their point of view.

On the other hand, not everybody prefers to reveal the secrets of his private life. For such kind of people it is important not to bring out family scenes and problems. They don’t want them to be disputed in public. But in spite of this, sometimes journalists can be too insistant, trying to get at as much information as possible.

During the last 20 years, there has been an attack on the private lives of the rich, powerful, and famous people. Sports figures, movie and music stars, political figures and powerful businessmen have felt pressure of cameras, media snooping in their garbage, and of the film crews stating out the most private events such as weddings, births, vacations and funerals. Not only celebrities are target for the media, but so are their families. The media needs to sell its product, that’s whyit peeps into every nook and cranny of people’s lives. No one will deny the fact that most magazines run their companies from commercialize private lives of famous people. Paparazzi relentlessly take their photographs of even their little motion. Unfortunately, the Crown Princess Diana’s death by a car accident happened when she tried to run off from paparazzi following her. Next negative point is that some gossips about celebrities can ruin young people’s dreams – dreams of the people who like them and who want to be like them. If there would be a report exaggerating their small mistakes, it will have serious damages to the life of celebrities.

All ordinary people usually treasure their privacy. Why not accord this same right to the people who govern and entertain? If we violate their sanctuary, we might be setting a bad precedent for our own right to privacy. Where will it end? Will nothing be sacrosanct? Will we have the right to poke cameras in people’s homes and peer through windows with binoculars?

And how much does the viewing public really need to know about the celebrity or politician? If we’ll know about their eating habits, leisure time and marital lives it won’t enhance our understanding of a film they have made, of a song they have written, or something else.

Finally, I want to say that every person have the right to protect his private life. Although, if they are public figures, they need to feel free in their private space. We have to admit the fact that they are like us and also make mistakes.

How to define an ethical border that shouldn’t be crossed? Maybe, material about stars should be published only if they approve of it putting the signature? But first of all the journalists who write or tell something about famous people should think: “If I hear such words about my private life, will I be pleased by them?”

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A recluse is someone who lives away from society. People become recluses for a variety of reasons, including religious beliefs, survivalist goals, mental illness, and a desire for privacy. There are as many types of recluses as there are reasons for people to retire from society. Celebrities sometimes also become reclusive, either from the public eye, or from society in general. Below is a list of famous celebrity recluses.

Emily Bronte is the author of the literary classic "Wuthering Heights." A private and shy woman, she lived in a fantasy world and had little contact with the outside world. Her mother and two eldest sisters passed away when she was a child, but she grew up with two other sisters and a brother. Bronte died on December 19, 1948.

Greta Garbo was a Swedish actress who made 28 films during her acting career. She retired to New York City in 1941 where she lived a solitary existence the rest of her life. Garbo was known for refusing interviews, not attending awards shows, and generally not giving time to the paparazzi. She died because of the natural causes at the age 84 on April 15, 1990.

J.D. Salinger is best known for his 1951 novel "The Catcher in the Rye." Born in New York City, Salinger lived out his life in the small town of Cornish, New Hampshire, where the local townsfolk respected his privacy and refused to disclose his home address to reporters. Salinger was considered reclusive from the public eye, never speaking to reporters and keeping his life private. Salinger died on January 27, 2010, at the age of 91.

Michael Jackson was an iconic musician who never failed to leave fans speculating about his odd behaviors. Jackson was known for wearing masks, sunglasses and disguises when he went out in public. He built himself an amusement park called "Neverland Ranch" where he could sequester himself from the world. Many people believed that he was trying to recreate the childhood he had never experienced. Jackson died of a presciption drug overdose on June 25th, 2009.

Stanley Kubrick was a famous director known best for the films "A Clockwork Orange" and "The Shining". Kubrick was an eccentric director who was reluctant to talk publicly about his work and remained out of the public eye. An American, Kubrick moved to England in 1962 and never left. HediedonMarch 7th, 1999, of a heartattack.

Syd Barrett was a founding member of the music group "Pink Floyd" and the band's leader in the early years. Barrett left the band after two albums, and eventually retired to a life of seclusion, mental illness, and the after-effects of massive doses of the drug LSD. Barrett was known as the most famous recluse in rock, refusing to even maintain contact with his former bandmates. HediedofpancreaticcanceronJuly 7th, 2006.