Is the rise of TMZ leading to the destruction of Journalistic intergrity ?

TMZ , is  celebrity news website created by Journalist Harvey Levin that debuted on November 8, 2005 , however it is more known for the television program which debuted on September 10, 2007. 


The initial concept of TMZ website was to site primarily feature and consist of Hollywood gossip, including interviews, photos and video footage of celebrities and information pertaining to industry news on movies, television shows.The site was described as "an effort to further feed the current American obsession with celebrities". Mike Shields of MediaWeek.com wrote, "the site also boasts of an expansive collection of archived star photos and videos", allowing fans to "trace changing hairlines and waistlines of their favorites performers over the years". 
  

So has TMZ allowed our curiosity of a celebrity to reach to pure obsession ? 


Since the launch of TMZ.com, the website has faced criticism, varying from attempted boycotts to criticism of its journalism tactics to its website's focus. The TMZ website has been criticized for its usage of photographs and videos obtained from paparazzi. Some have questioned the effect that aggressive and obtrusive photographers have on the subjects they cover. Many of their videos on the site show, in the footage, that their paparazzi chase people (mainly celebrities) , a practice that has been called dangerous and "creepy". Over the years, some have called for a boycott of TMZ.com and the accompanying show.


Jennifer Metz and David Muir of the ABC Network USA acknowledged that TMZ.com has long been criticized for their "aggressive tactics, antagonizing stars with video cameras" and noted that those "encounters, capturing at times violent celebrity confrontations with photographers, receive hundreds of hits online, and critics ask if entertainment reporters are crossing the line."
Publicist Ken Sunshine stated that his clients disliked the website because it has a tendency to always be negative towards celebrities when reporting on them. "I hate that they have anything to do with trying to put celebrities into the worst light possible and that they play the 'gotcha' game". 

The website has been harshly criticized for having a cult of figures such as Brittney Spears , Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton now recently Kim Kardashian these celebrities are known more as targets for paparazzi than for the work they do. In defense for TMZ's coverage, Levin said that certain celebrities are main subjects on the Web site because of their 'relevancy' and because their relevancy helps draw viewership to the Web site.Liz Kelly, of Washington post Newspaper attacked both Levin and TMZ.com in an article, stating: "I know this is like spitting in the wind, but I have to say it: Harvey Levin, please stop it.


Lindsay Lohan in court  

The Question still remains , has TMZ allowed our curiosity of a celebrity to reach to pure obsession and has the paparazzi's methods to get a story finally gone to far ?


These question still remains Un answered!