Princess Diana was adored by millions around the world. She was a leader in charitable and philanthropic causes. She visited children’s hospitals and gave medical equipment. She learned sign language so she could better serve as patron for the British Deaf Association. She worked to ban landmines.
When Diana died in a tragic car accident on August 31, 1997, the world mourned her passing. Investigations into the cause of the crash that killed her went on for years, with regular tabloid coverage. One of the long-thought contributing factors to Diana’s crash was that her vehicle was being chased by paparazzi seeking photographs of her and her boyfriend, Dodi Fayed.
The culpability of paparazzi infringing on the privacy of others has been a topic ever since. But now it has been brought up afresh by an unlikely source.
Teen pop phenomenon Justin Bieber was reportedly rear-ended by a chasing paparazzo this week. According to the TMZ report that broke the story, Bieber was driving his Ferrari through West Hollywood when he noticed he was being trailed by the photographer. Angered, Bieber reportedly slammed his brakes and was rear-ended by the Prius following him.
Bieber later tweeted: “There should be laws against what I just experienced. We should have learned from the death of Princess Diana…”
There should be laws against what I just experienced. We should have learned from the death of Princess Diana…
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) August 26, 2014
So far, his statement has been retweeted almost 65,000 times. But it was Bieber’s follow-up tweet that caused a stir. “…I don’t have a problem with Paparazzi but when they act recklessly they put us all in danger.”
…I don't have a problem with Paparazzi but when they act recklessly they put us all in danger.
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) August 26, 2014
Given that Bieber was allegedly the one who slammed on his brakes, just who was acting recklessly? Is his comparison to Diana’s death a fitting parallel?