Bo Xilai trial: Papers toe official line
Despite the window into the case offered by an official court Weibo microblog, state newspapers and publications in cities and provinces where Bo served copied the headline and text from the state-run news agency word for word.
Mainland newspapers stuck strictly to Xinhua's version of the Bo Xilai trial yesterday.
Despite the window into the case offered by an official court Weibo microblog, state newspapers and publications in cities and provinces where Bo served copied the headline and text from the state-run news agency word for word.
People's Daily, Guangming Daily and local newspapers in Chongqing , Liaoning and Shandong ran the story under the Xinhua headline "Bo Xilai stands trial for bribery, embezzlement, abuse of power". For the most part, the story was tucked away on inside pages.
Legal Daily stood apart by adding the word "alleged" before the charges, and in publishing the whole story on its front page.
While Bo's attempts to defend himself attracted considerable discussion online, Xinhua's report skipped over them and said only that "Bo did not acknowledge the accusations".
Most of the Xinhua article covered the prosecutor's comments, including the evidence and testimony against Bo, and the exact sums he is accused of receiving in bribes and embezzlement. It praised the court for offering justice and equality.