While reports that cater to the sometimes virulent nationalist sentiments of readers, viewers, and listeners can succeed in garnering a larger market share – as in any other capitalist country – they can also mislead. The media may make money, but as the recent anti-Japan protests suggests, an excess of such market-driven jingoism can damage a nation’s interests and international standing.
尽管有时候迎合读者、观众和听众颇为刻毒的民族主义情绪能保证成功获得更多的市场份额——就像任何其他的资本主义国家一样——但这也可能会使他们受到误导。媒体也许能够盈利，但是正如最近的反日抗议所暗示的那样，这种市场利益驱动下的过度侵略主义会有伤一个国家的利益和国际地位。这正应了中国的一句老话：骑虎难下。