The Cockroach Controversy: Don't Blame Jobless Journos, says Delhi Union of Journalists

"The intemperate remarks made by the Chief Justice of the apex court reflect his unfortunate contempt for those who actively question the system on media and social media. Almost six months ago, he had criticised the trade unions for stunning industrial growth and closing factories." 

By Our Copy Desk

Press Statement:

The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) is appalled at the recent remarks of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant regarding unemployed youth of the country. He reportedly said, to a lawyer arguing before him, that many unemployed people today are cockroaches. 

The CJI reportedly opined that, "There are already parasites of society who attack the system and you want to join hands with them? There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don't get any employment and don't have any place in profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, some of them become RTI activists, some of them become other activists, and they start attacking everyone..."

The CJI's intemperate remarks reflect his unfortunate contempt for those who actively question the system on media and social media. Almost six months ago, he had criticised the trade unions for stunning industrial growth and closing factories. Now, continuing the blaming of victims, he has trained his guns on the unemployed youth in the country.

As a result of the economic and social policies of the Union government, unemployment is growing, even according to the surveys conducted by the government. 

The question arises -- why are there so many people active on social media today? 

The CJI seems to be unaware that a large number are professional journalists. It is a fact that the vast majority of the big mainstream media, both newspapers and TV channels, is owned and controlled by corporate interests which in turn are beholden to the government for licences, advertisements and other benefits. They uphold the system, reflecting largely the official viewpoint on policy, governance and performance.

The alternative reality, as perceived by the common citizen, is different. 

Many mainstream journalists, extremely competent journalists with years of professional experience behind them, have in the past decade been forced out of the system as they are unwilling to toe the government line. Many of them are members of the DUJ. 

Rendered unemployed, they have opted to continue their professional work on YouTube channels, Facebook, Instagram and other social media. The DUJ salutes their struggles in pursuing their profession as independent journalists, without the resources that the mainstream provides. 

The contract system of employment in media has rendered many mid-career and older journalists unemployed and they are trying to earn a living through social media.  Additionally, young people stepping out of the many journalism schools are frequently unable to find steady employment. They are trying to get a foothold in the profession by working in social media.  

The average person, struggling to cope with everyday survival in times of high inflation and rampant unemployment, does not wear the same rose-tinted glasses as those who represent and benefit from the system.

It is this reality, deliberately distorted by the mainstream media, that the social media often reflects. It offers a diversity of voices and perspectives that are frequently critical of the powers that be.

In that sense, the social media is a true platform for democracy. It is extremely distressing to hear from the highest in the judiciary that such people are activists and no better than cockroaches.

We urge those in the judiciary, at all levels, to empathise with the daily struggles of average citizens, be they unemployed and underemployed journalists or underemployed lawyers -- instead of labelling them as parasites. We also stand with thousands of media students who are studying or have passed out from the journalism institutions of the country, including various state and central universities. 

As the oldest professional trade union of journalists, we would like to tell journalism students and the unemployed youth that questioning the system is an essential element in democracy.

They must continue to do that to make this country better.

    Sd/-                                            Sd/-                                            Sd/-

Sujata Madhok                      S.K.Pande                               A.M. Jigeesh

  President                            Vice President                      General Secretary