New Express published a front-page apology on Sunday after one of its reporters who is being detained due to allegations of defamation made a televised confession.

The Guangzhou newspaper had previously printed editorials on its front page appealing to police in Hunan province to release Chen Yongzhou, stating there was no evidence of wrongdoing.

The U-turn came after the journalist appeared on China Central Television on Saturday and said he had received money to write defamatory articles about Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Development.