Honouring a dual career in cinema and public service
At the event, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan congratulated Shri Suresh Gopi — Union Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum & Natural Gas and a noted film actor — for his accomplishments across two demanding fields. The Vice-President highlighted the distinct challenges faced in cinema and politics and commended the Minister for maintaining close ties to his roots, recalling Shri Gopi’s invitation that led to the Vice-President’s recent visit to Fatima Mata College, Kollam.
Media’s role: inspire youth, give voice to the voiceless
Delivering an address that blended cultural reference and contemporary caution, Shri Radhakrishnan emphasised the media’s power to highlight positive developments and inspire younger generations. He urged journalists to remain the voice of the voiceless and to contribute proactively to building a drug-free society through sustained awareness campaigns and responsible coverage.
Warning on fake news and deepfakes
Addressing technological challenges, the Vice-President warned that artificial intelligence and sophisticated deepfakes make discerning truth more complex. He called on the press to uphold truth and integrity and play a “very responsible role in our democracy,” noting that factual verification and ethical reporting are now more crucial than ever.
Drawing on Thiruvalluvar’s wisdom
Invoking the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, Shri Radhakrishnan quoted: “If a man speaks the truth with a pure heart, he stands higher than those who perform lifelong penance or give away billions in charity.” He urged the media to follow these enduring ethical principles in service of public interest.
Manorama Group recognised for cultural service
Shri Radhakrishnan also applauded the Manorama Group’s legacy in promoting language, literature and cultural discourse in Kerala, calling Manorama News a long-standing opinion maker and a trusted voice that reflects public sentiment. The award, decided through Manorama’s selection process and audience opinion polling, recognises public influence and media visibility.
What this means for journalism
The Vice-President’s remarks underscore a moment for reflection across India’s newsrooms: balancing celebration of public figures with rigorous fact-checking, resisting sensationalism, and using media reach to promote civic values. As technology amplifies both truth and falsehood, the onus on editors and reporters to verify and contextualise has increased.
