Surveillance means “watching over” and is associated with tracking, controlling, gathering data, and invading privacy. Media devices like video cameras, microphones, social media platforms, and satellites are all commonly associated with the term surveillance because they aid in observation. Reality TV is a very interesting concept because people are voluntarily letting the intimate moments of their lives be filmed and shared with the world. The Kardashian family, for example, have completely subjected their lives to the public for viewing. With a whopping 20 seasons, Keeping Up With the Kardashians has been surveilling every facet of the family’s lives for around 14 years. The family has agency, but only to a certain extent. They choose how they act in front of the cameras and Kris has final say over which scenes are included and excluded. However, the Kardashians cannot control the tabloids, paparazzi photos, social media posts, or public opinions about them. Once someone becomes a celebrity, a lot of their agency is taken away and they are constantly being watched. Surveillance, whether it’s reality TV or another form, has efforts to govern or control the individuals under observation, which signifies a power relationship. This idea makes reality TV even more interesting as a concept because people are willingly putting themselves under the power of technology in exchange for money or fame.
