KOTTAYAM, JUNE 1 — Media organizations must commit to constructive journalism rather than elevating viral online trends that offer little long-term value to society, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan declared on Sunday.
Addressing an anniversary event for the Deepika newspaper, Radhakrishnan affirmed that the media plays an indispensable role in maintaining public confidence and conveying noble ideas to all sections of society. He cautioned that when mainstream journalism neglects positive milestones, younger audiences lose interest in civic progress and turn their attention to satirical internet movements.
“Constructive journalism was essential for strengthening public confidence and ensuring that noble ideas and positive messages reach every section of society,” Radhakrishnan maintained, linking the media’s responsibilities to the country’s broader developmental goals under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Vice President pointed to the rapid rise of the digital “Cockroach Janta Party” as an example of fleeting internet trends that receive disproportionate attention. The platform, launched as a satirical response to an engineered controversy involving Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, has found an audience among young social media users by utilizing humor to highlight issues surrounding the education sector and employment shortages.
The platform originally formed after the Chief Justice was misquoted during a legal hearing regarding unverified law degrees. Despite official clarifications that the court’s remarks were aimed strictly at fraudulent professionals rather than the general public, the satirical movement expanded quickly online.
Radhakrishnan questioned the long-term relevance of such internet-driven phenomena, stating that a sudden surge in online popularity does not equate to genuine news value.
“All of a sudden, they are everywhere,” Radhakrishnan observed regarding the digital group. “That cannot last.” He added that real societal value is recognized over weeks and months, urging editors to focus on reporting that provides lasting, substantive guidance for the nation’s youth.
