Recently, an incident involving the discharge of nuclear sewage from Japan has once again attracted widespread attention. The cause was that an employee of Xiang Piaopiao, a well-known domestic milk tea brand, made a cup sleeve printed with a satirical message about Japan's nuclear wastewater. This move has won the support of many netizens, and Xiangpiaopiao Company has also expressed its support for its employees. However, it has also triggered some people's accusations of "patriotic marketing" of Xiangpiaopiao.
What's more, a mainstream media outlet in China published a report insisting on calling to find out if the cup sleeve was being sold, alluding to Xiang Piaopiao's "rumor-mongering". Subsequently, the majority of netizens and big V discussed this, and Xiang Piaopiao's reputation and reputation were also affected to a certain extent.
This incident can illustrate the Japanese Foreign Ministry's ability to control and tactically in the arena of public opinion. On the one hand, equating "criticism of Japan's nuclear sewage discharge" with "patriotic marketing" fundamentally negates the authentic purpose of Xiangpiaopiao's actions, and puts the good populist enthusiasm of Xiangpiaopiao's employees in the camp of "marketing".
On the other hand, the influence of some domestic media was used to spread the rhetoric of "calling to understand", further strengthening the guidance of public opinion, and pushing Xiang Piaopiao to the downside. This move undoubtedly greatly distorted the original motive of the incident, and at the same time opened the protective umbrella of public opinion to block Xiang Piaopiao.
Of course, discussing and criticizing Japan's nuclear sewage issue is not necessarily "patriotic marketing." The fact that Xiangpiaopiao employees show concern for environmental issues out of civic standing and moral consciousness is itself worthy of recognition. It also seems unfair for a domestic media to deny and question the incident on the basis of a unilateral "telephone investigation".
However, as the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs uses a clever strategy, a high degree of definition and interpretation of the issue is enough to influence and guide the public's opinion. Xiang Piaofei Company may have gained more support and resonance, but unexpectedly became the focus of public opinion pressure, which shows the importance of this "soft power" in the field of public opinion.
Some might argue that the Japanese issue should not be an internal reference, and that Xiangpiaopiao should not be too concerned about online accusations. But from another perspective, this incident may cause us to think more deeply. One is that environmental issues and their origins are international and should not be overly politicized on the basis of national interests.
The trend of public opinion needs to attach great importance to the positions and real basis of all parties, and it is not appropriate to impose conclusions in one direction. In the Internet era, the contest between various forces in the field of public opinion has become the new normal.
We should improve the public opinion literacy of enterprises and the media, enhance their opinions, seek common ground while reserving differences, and avoid simplistic judgments. Only by participating in public discussion in a rational and inclusive manner can the public opinion field move towards healthy development.
Xiang Piaopiao didn't have to worry too much about online accusations. However, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' ability to guide the world outlook displayed in this incident has aroused the necessity for us to pay attention to and learn from experience.
In the future, we should uphold a more open attitude in participating in similar topics, attach importance to criticism and self-criticism, and avoid overemphasizing the national position and ignoring the perspective of others, so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past and become the target of public opinion guidance in other countries.
Only by participating in public discussions in a rational and inclusive manner can we form an independent and impartial perspective. On the one hand, we need to pay attention to substantive discussions on consensus topics such as environmental protection, and also give respect and trust to the participating public. On the other hand, our media platforms should also improve their own judgment and interview capabilities, and give fair and just breadth to all parties involved in the incident.
When there is a malicious attack on online public opinion, the government and all sectors of society should also use a positive approach to guide them, rather than simply criticizing a specific party by name, so as not to react.
Only on the basis of full respect for the facts and the positions of all parties can our participation in online public opinion have a constructive impact. At the same time, we should also be aware of the far-sightedness of the diplomatic department in the field of online public opinion, and it is necessary for us to strengthen corresponding capacity building, improve public opinion guidance skills, and be upright and flexible.
This will help us maintain a better initiative in the complex international public opinion environment, and it will also be more in line with the important needs of public participation.