Journalist Chen Yongzhou gives his confession in a detention room at the Changsha Public Security Bureau detention centre in Changsha City, Hunan Province, in this still image taken from a China Central Television video shot on October 25. Photo: Reuters

A Chinese financial reporter detained on suspicion of harming a business’ reputation confessed on state television today that he was fed untrue information about the company and filed unverified stories defaming the company in exchange for money.

State-run China Central Television aired the footage in which Chen Yongzhou, an employee of the Guangzhou-based New Express newspaper, said greed and a desire for fame led him to take bribes and run under his name prepared stories alleging financial misdeeds by China’s second-largest heavy equipment maker, Zoomlion.

Chen’s detention has caused an uproar among media professionals, who worry police are overstepping their legal jurisdiction in criminalising civil disputes.

Legal scholars also voiced concerns about state media airing the confession of a suspect before a court hears the case. Chen has not been charged, as police are still investigating the case.

Chen’s detention has caused an uproar among the media

In the television footage, Chen, 27, was seen with his head shaved and handcuffed and wearing a green vest from the detention centre in the central-southern Chinese city of Changsha, where Zoomlion has its headquarters.

“I willingly admit the crime, and I repent my crime,” Chen said. “As for those involved in the case - Zoomlion, the credibility of the entire news media, my family and the wounds they are suffering – I am willing to offer my sincere apologies.” He also apologised to Zoomlion shareholders.

The state broadcaster said Chen ran more than 10 news articles between September 2012 and August 2013 with fabricated facts.