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| China paper in detained journalist plea | China paper in detained journalist plea |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Chinese newspaper has published a rare front-page plea for the release of one of its journalists held by police. | A Chinese newspaper has published a rare front-page plea for the release of one of its journalists held by police. |
| The New Express, based in Guangzhou, called for Chen Yongzhou, who was detained last week, to be freed. | The New Express, based in Guangzhou, called for Chen Yongzhou, who was detained last week, to be freed. |
| The paper said Mr Chen's detention was linked to reports he wrote about a part state-owned construction equipment company based in Hunan. | The paper said Mr Chen's detention was linked to reports he wrote about a part state-owned construction equipment company based in Hunan. |
| Police in Hunan have confirmed the journalist has been detained for "damage to business reputation''. | Police in Hunan have confirmed the journalist has been detained for "damage to business reputation''. |
| Earlier this year, Mr Chen wrote several reports about Zoomlion, which is partly owned by the Hunan provincial government. | Earlier this year, Mr Chen wrote several reports about Zoomlion, which is partly owned by the Hunan provincial government. |
| Zoomlion issued a statement after one New Express article, which alleged it had improperly accounted for sales, caused its share price to drop. | Zoomlion issued a statement after one New Express article, which alleged it had improperly accounted for sales, caused its share price to drop. |
| In a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange in late May, the company called the claims "false, groundless and misleading". | In a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange in late May, the company called the claims "false, groundless and misleading". |
| 'Too naive' | |
| The New Express led its article with a large three-character headline that read "Please Release Him". | |
| It said it had remained quiet so far because it feared Mr Chen, who was detained on 19 October, might be mistreated. | It said it had remained quiet so far because it feared Mr Chen, who was detained on 19 October, might be mistreated. |
| "We always thought that as long as we report responsibly then there would be no problem; and even in the event of a problem, we can publish corrections and apologise; if it is really serious, and we lose a court case, we will pay or shut down if we have to," the editorial said. | |
| "But the fact is, we are too naive. Chen Yongzhou had spent three days and three nights [in custody] before he saw a lawyer," it added. | |
| Like all Chinese newspapers, the New Express comes under strict state control, but it has nonetheless gained a reputation for investigative journalism, says the BBC's John Sudworth in Shanghai. | |
| "We are a small newspaper, but we have the backbone no matter how poor we are," the paper said in its piece. | |
| Recent years have seen sporadic clashes between Chinese media outlets and the authorities. | |
| In January, journalists at the Guangdong-based Southern Weekly newspaper called for a propaganda chief to quit, after he changed an editorial into a Communist Party tribute. | |
| The row sparked small protests and displays of solidarity from other media outlets before the issue was resolved. |