Halle Berry has said her daughter does not want to go to school because she fears paparazzi hiding in the bushes.
The Academy Award-winning actress was speaking to the Assembly Committee on Public Safety in California to support the introduction of legislation to limit the ability of press photographers to photograph celebrities' children.
The 46-year-old, who is pregnant with her second child, told the committee: "My daughter doesn't want to go to school because she knows 'the men' are watching for her.
"They jump out of the bushes and from behind cars and who knows where else, besieging these children just to get a photo."
Berry has repeatedly tangled with paparazzi.
In April the Los Angeles Times reported that she shouted at photographers at Los Angeles International Airport and told them to get away from her young daughter.
Following her evidence, the committee voted in favour of the new legislation which changes the definition of harassment to include photographing or recording a child without the permission of a legal guardian by following the child or guardian's activities or by lying in wait.
It also increases the penalties for people convicted of such behaviour. Anyone convicted of a first offence could spend between 10 days and a year in jail.
But journalism advocates fear the bill will interfere with reporters and photographers gathering news.
In an age when everyone with a mobile phone has a camera, some have argued it also puts private citizens at risk of prosecution.
"It sweeps legitimate newsgathering activities into the new definition of harassment and exposes everyday activities that journalists do to criminal and civil liability," said Jim Ewert of the California Newspaper Publishers Association.
The Academy Award-winning actress was speaking to the Assembly Committee on Public Safety in California to support the introduction of legislation to limit the ability of press photographers to photograph celebrities' children.
The 46-year-old, who is pregnant with her second child, told the committee: "My daughter doesn't want to go to school because she knows 'the men' are watching for her.
"They jump out of the bushes and from behind cars and who knows where else, besieging these children just to get a photo."
Berry has repeatedly tangled with paparazzi.
In April the Los Angeles Times reported that she shouted at photographers at Los Angeles International Airport and told them to get away from her young daughter.
Following her evidence, the committee voted in favour of the new legislation which changes the definition of harassment to include photographing or recording a child without the permission of a legal guardian by following the child or guardian's activities or by lying in wait.
It also increases the penalties for people convicted of such behaviour. Anyone convicted of a first offence could spend between 10 days and a year in jail.
But journalism advocates fear the bill will interfere with reporters and photographers gathering news.
In an age when everyone with a mobile phone has a camera, some have argued it also puts private citizens at risk of prosecution.
"It sweeps legitimate newsgathering activities into the new definition of harassment and exposes everyday activities that journalists do to criminal and civil liability," said Jim Ewert of the California Newspaper Publishers Association.
Poor child, mum is in the spotlight she better start getting use to Paparazzi.
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