China bans tainted stars from TV, movie screens

Crackdown comes in the wake of government seeking to campaign against rampant extravagance and decadence.

BEIJING: Chinese stars who have used drugs, visited prostitutes or been involved in other law-breaking incidents will not be allowed to appear on television, movie screens and other forms of broadcast in China. State media issued the statement on Thursday, in the wake of a series of scandals involving celebrities.

The ban by the broadcast regulator, which includes radio and advertisements, is meant to “keep the industry healthy,” the official China Daily reported. “Celebrities who break the law should not be invited to appear in programmes and transmission of their words should be suspended,” the newspaper said, citing a statement from the regulator.



“Recent cases involving stars using drugs or visiting prostitutes have harmed the image of the entertainment industry and set a bad example for young people,” the newspaper added. Last month, Chinese prosecutors approved the arrest of Jaycee Chan, son of kung fu movie star Jackie Chan, after a drugs offense, the latest in a string of celebrities to fall foul of the law.

China has detained several other mostly B-list celebrities in recent months on drug-related charges, cases that have been publicised widely in both state and social media. They have included movie and television stars, film directors and a prominent screenwriter. One director was detained on suspicion of hiring prostitutes.

The crackdown has come as the government seeks to push forward a wider campaign against extravagance and decadence.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to go after corruption and excess among the elite, a prime source of public discontent, as the gap between the poor and the wealthy continues to grow.

China’s Ministry of Public Security told police across the country in February to get tough on drugs, gambling and prostitution. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2014.

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