The confrontation between the New Express, a Guangzhou-based newspaper and the Changsha police has evolved dramatically over the past few days.

The newspaper's imprisoned journalist Chen Yongzhou confessed to writing several articles that now appear to have defamed a construction-equipment company named Zoomlion. Chen told China Central Television Saturday that he had done so for money.

The newspaper had made front-page appeals twice for Chen's release from police custody. But soon after his confession on TV, it issued an apology. The newspaper's sharp turn has shocked both the media and the general public.  

The space for opinions in China is somewhat like a stage, with strong scenes usually played out one after another, in phases, of course. In reality, Chinese society is not that heroic. People tend to be swayed by emotions and the emotions can turn into waves.

After Chen's arrest, the New Express was supposed to have had the chance to assert its rights through the legal system but it instead chose to confront the authorities over the arrest. Maybe the leadership at the New Express was impulsive but a few other media organizations followed on its path too.

The majority of comments on China's social media websites were ones that exhibited sympathy for the journalist and for the newspaper but facts of the case that emerged more recently seem to tell a different tale. 

China's space for public opinions - dominated by social media - has become one of the most chaotic places in the country, although virtual. Some people describe it as an underworld with few rules. It is too much of a mess.

This space has attracted journalists, some of whom are perhaps faced with their own weakening economic and political influence.

Chinese society is both big and complex and therefore is more often than not prone to problems and dissatisfactions. However, social media seems to largely focus on just those. This virtual world has been described as a holy place that affects many media employees and makes rebellion fashionable.

The episode involving the New Express should make people wonder about their perceptions of Chinese society. They should introspect or else the space for public opinions is bound to become hopeless.

At the same time, the authorities should also spare a thought on why they end up being targets of public opinion. If both sides refuse to change their viewpoint, we will be faced with a public crisis sooner than later.