Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday cautioned that young people might gravitate towards trivial trends if the media does not adequately report positive developments and achievements. Speaking as the chief guest at the 140th anniversary celebrations of Malayalam daily Deepika, he emphasized the media's role in highlighting inspiring stories to guide the younger generation.
Call for Positive Reporting
"Positive activities should be reported well. Only then will youngsters receive the right information. Otherwise, they will lose interest and end up following the 'cockroach'," Radhakrishnan said. He clarified that he was not against freedom of expression but questioned the excessive attention given to issues lacking lasting significance.
Reference to Cockroach Janata Party
The Vice President appeared to refer to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), a satirical social media platform that gained popularity among youth after a controversy involving Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The CJP emerged last week following remarks attributed to the CJI during a court hearing on the "senior" designation of lawyers. The platform quickly attracted young users through memes and commentary on issues like unemployment and exam paper leaks.
"If something is genuinely good, people will continue to recognise its value after a week, 10 days, or even a month," Radhakrishnan said, according to news agency PTI. "Nobody knows about them. All of a sudden, they are everywhere. That cannot last."
Clarification by CJI
The Chief Justice later clarified that his observations, directed at individuals entering the legal profession through "fake and bogus degrees", had been misquoted.
Role of Media in Nation-Building
Radhakrishnan stressed that constructive reporting builds public confidence, inspires collective action, and motivates citizens to contribute to nation-building. He said stories highlighting compassion, scientific achievements, community service, environmental protection, and human accomplishment can become powerful tools for social change.
The Vice President's remarks underscore the importance of balanced journalism that focuses on meaningful developments rather than fleeting trends.
