Watchdog bans broadcasts of works by tainted stars

In July, Zhang Mo, son of actor and director Zhang Guoli, was arrested for a second time for using drugs, following his detention for smoking marijuana in 2012.

A month earlier, screenwriter and novelist Chen Wanning, known by his online name Ning Caishen, was detained for possessing and using methamphetamine.

In other cases, Wang Quan'an, the Golden Bear-winning film director, and actor Huang Haibo were detained in Beijing on suspicion of hiring prostitutes.

News of the ban spread on Sina Weibo on Wednesday, and the statement was forwarded more than 2,300 times within three hours.

Micro-blogger Longke Harry agreed with the move, saying that stars should set a good example, as they are public figures.

However, another Sina Weibo user, Liu Huichao, disagreed, saying: "Good films or other works cannot rely on one star. Instead they are the fruit of many celebrities. So it's not reasonable to eliminate the products."

The Beijing Trade Association for Performances announced last month that it will not hire celebrities involved in drug abuse or prostitution.

Liu Zhongkui, the association's deputy head, said, "Stars should not only keep a good image in the public, but should also be disciplined offstage."

Earlier this year, the association and 42 Beijing performing arts organizations agreed to avoid employing stars who use drugs.

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