The Global Times, a nationalist tabloid newspaper on the mainland, has come under unprecedented criticism from internet users and journalists following its publication of an editorial on Monday that criticised Guangzhou's outspoken Southern Weekly.
The Global Times, published under People's Daily, has long been known for publishing controversial commentaries.
But Monday's editorial, which said the Southern Weekly crisis was provoked by external forces, is being seen by some as a major blow to its credibility. The saga deepened when The Beijing News was forced to reprint the editorial on Tuesday.
"I just find the whole thing disgraceful," one Global Times journalist said. "The editorial jeopardised our hard work to produce good stories."
Former journalists at the paper said they found the editorial "heartbreaking".
"No matter whether the editorial is an order from the top officials, it is politically motivated," one said.