Kottayam: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday stressed the importance of constructive journalism, saying that excessive focus on negative or fleeting trends could misguide young people and weaken public discourse.

Speaking as the chief guest at the 140th anniversary celebrations of the Malayalam daily Deepika, he said positive developments and achievements should receive greater media attention to ensure that young audiences are exposed to constructive role models and information.

Referring indirectly to the “Cockroach Janata Party”, a satirical social media account that has recently gained traction online, Radhakrishnan cautioned that youngsters might end up following such narratives if positive content is not adequately highlighted.

“If positive activities are not reported well, youngsters will not receive the right information. Otherwise, they may lose interest and end up following the ‘cockroach’,” he said.

He added that while he supported freedom of expression, he questioned the tendency to amplify issues that may not hold long-term relevance. According to him, content that is genuinely valuable continues to be recognised over time, while fleeting online trends quickly fade.

The satirical platform, which emerged following controversy around remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a hearing on the senior designation of lawyers, has since evolved into a broader space for digital dissent and commentary on issues such as unemployment, exam paper leaks and education.

The Vice President said constructive journalism plays a key role in building public confidence and encouraging social responsibility. He emphasised that media should highlight compassion, scientific progress, community service, environmental protection and human achievement to support nation-building.

He also praised Deepika for its role in promoting social harmony, education, cultural values and constructive public dialogue.

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