No headlines for celebrity drug users

Jaycee Chan and kung fu star Jackie Chan are among the country's best-known father-and-son celebrities. Photos provided to China Daily

Show business journalists have called for a halt on news about celebrities caught with narcotics, claiming the scandal-hit stars are benefiting from the media attention. Liu Zhihua reports.

Young netted in drug abuse blitz

Chinese celebrities caught with drugs

A number of Chinese show business journalists have called for a temporary halt on the coverage of celebrities caught taking drugs, after a string of scandals rocked the nation.

The public appeal was posted on Chinese social media by journalists from media outlets from across the country after the police detained Jaycee Chan, 32, the actor son of kung fu superstar Jackie Chan, and Taiwan actor Kai Ko, 23, on Aug 14.

The posts urge media nationwide not to report the personal situations and work of any celebrities found with drugs for at least a year.

"We should not promote their work, or give them any opportunity to raise their status in the industry," said the statement from the anti-drug group.

In the past few months, a series of drug scandals have hit the headlines, involving A-listers and lesser-known celebrities, leading to overwhelming media coverage detailing their drug use and arrests.