The Southern Media Group is the Guangzhou-based owner of a weekly newspaper whose editorial staff staged a rare but short-lived revolt against censorship in January. Supporters turned up at their gates.
Nearly a year later, at least three of the protesters are now likely to face public disturbance charges.
The media group is being criticised for declaring in a statement to police that the protests interfered with the operations of the news company, effectively providing evidence likely to be used against the activists.