Celebrities who have caused a ‘negative social impact’ will be banned for a specific time; those who don’t refuse to rectify may risk a permanent ban
Beijing: Chinese lawmakers are mulling banning celebrities with notorious records, involving crime and drug abuse, under the country's first film law to regulate movie-making.
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During the review for the draft law, several members of the standing committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) suggested clauses be added to the film law to ban celebrities who have violated laws or caused a “negative social impact” from starring in movies for a certain period of time as punishment.
Ren Maodong, an NPC deputy, said that the actions of popular celebrities affect social morality. “Those with notorious records, especially involving crime, should be banned from starring in movies for a time. Those who refuse to rectify should be banned forever,” Ren said.
The draft law aiming to regulate film-making in China was put before China’s top legislature in October. China’s media watchdog also issued a notice requiring TV companies and cinemas to suspend broadcasting programs and films that depict celebrities who have been charged with drug offences and prostitution.
The draft film law also includes articles that will levy fines of up to ¥500,000 (Rs 54 lakh) on theaters which report inflated box office figures, and the screenplays of “normal types” of movies will not need to be approved by the authorities before being shot. Under the draft law, filmmakers would receive incentives in financing, taxation and promotions.
Star-struck
The police have detained a string of celebrities, including movie and TV stars and film directors on drug and prostitution charges, including Jaycee Chan, son of Chinese kungfu star Jackie Chan, who was formally arrested in Beijing in September last year following a drug bust in his residence in Beijing on August 14.
Rs 54 lakh
The fine that will be levied on theaters which report inflated box office figures, as per China’s first film law