Development of Press during British rule-MPSC Study Notes

Development of Press during British rule

The evolution of the Indian press during British rule was filled with difficulties like illiteracy, colonial pressure and repression. But later on, it became a prominent tool for the freedom struggle.

Some of the important developments are

The first printing press was established by the Portuguese in 1556.
The first newspaper of India was established in 1780 by James Augustus Hickey named Calcutta General Advertiser or The Bengal Gazette. He is considered as the ‘Father of Indian press’.
Bengal Gazette is also sometimes known as Hickey’s Gazette.
This newspaper was later seized by the government in 1782.

The Censorship Act, 1799

It was enacted by Lord Wellesley to prevent the French from spreading rumours which could harm the British.
According to this, every newspaper should contain the names of the printer, editor and proprietor.
Before printing anything, it should be submitted to the secretary of Censorship.

Licensing Regulation, 1823

It was enacted by John Adams.
Every publisher was required to get a license from the government.
In case of default, the penalty was Rs 400 and the press would be ceased by the government.
Government has the right to cancel the license also.

Note: The restrictions were directed mainly to Indian language newspapers or those edited by the Indians like Mirat-ul-Akbar (which was published by Rammohan Roy) had to stop its publication.

Press Act of 1835 or Metcalfe Act

Charles Metcalfe, also called Liberator of the Indian press, repealed 1823 rules by John Adams.
This continued till 1856 which led to the growth of the newspaper in India.

Licensing Act, 1857

Due to an emergency caused by the revolt of 1857, the government imposed licensing instructions on the procedure laid in the Press act of 1835.
The government even reserved the right to stop publication and circulation of the book, newspaper or printed matter.

Registration Act, 1867

It replaced the Press act of 1835 or Metcalfe’s Act.
It was regulatory in nature.
Every newspaper/book should have the name of the publisher, place of the publication and the name of the printer.
A copy of the published material was required to be submitted to the local government within a month.

Vernacular Press Act, 1878

The vernacular press (local language press) was used to criticize British rule. Therefore they came down heavily to curb vernacular press in 1878.
It was nicknamed the ‘Gagging Act’.
Lord Lytton was responsible for this act.
According to this, Magistrates were authorized to ask any publisher of newspaper to give assurance of not publishing anything threatening peace and security in the country.
Magistrate decision was final in any dispute.
This law was not applicable to the English press.
This Act empowered the government to issue search warrants, and enter newspaper premises even without court orders.

More stringent laws were enacted when the freedom movement gained momentum. Every reporting was closely monitored and comments against the government were not tolerated.

Under this, Surendranath Banerjee was the first Indian journalist to be imprisoned for criticizing a judge of Calcutta high court in 1883.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was mostly associated with the nationalist fight for the freedom of the press.
He was related to building up nationalist sentiment through Ganpati(1893) and Shivaji(1896) festivals and newspaper Kesari and Maratha.

Newspaper Act, 1908

Magistrates were empowered to confiscate printing press or property connected to the newspaper, which published objectionable material like incitement to murder or acts of violence.
Newspapers were allowed to appeal in high court within 15 days.

Indian Press Act, 1910

This measure was put into effect in order to curtail and restrict the emerging Indian Freedom Struggle, particularly during the arrival of World War I.
It empowered the local government to demand a security deposit of Rs. 500 to Rs. 2000 which could be forfeited and its registration cancelled owing to the printing of any objectionable material.

Press Committee, 1921

On the recommendation of the Press committee chaired by Tej Bahadur Sapru, the press act 1908 and 1910 were repealed.

The Indian Press (Emergency Powers) Act, 1931

The impact of the Gandhian movement provoked the government to issue an ordinance in 1930.
Provincial governments were given the power to suppress the press.
In 1932 provisions of the act were further amplified in the form of the criminal amendment act.
During the 2^nd World War pre-censorship was reinforced and amended under the Press emergent Act in 1931 and the official secrets Act.
Under this act, Congress and its activities were declared illegal.

Press regulating Act, 1942

Registration of journalists was made compulsory.
Messages regarding civil disturbances and news regarding acts of sabotage were restricted.
There were limitations on headlines and space given to news on disturbances.
The government had authority over arbitrary censorship.

Press Enquiry Committee, 1947

Set up to examine the press law in the light of fundamental rights by the constituent assembly.
It recommended the repeal of the Indian Emergency Powers Act, 1931 and amendments in other acts.

In favour of censorship: Wellesley, Lord Minto-II, Lord Adams, Lord Canning, Lord Lytton, Lord Elphinstone, Sir Munro.

In favour of freedom of Press: Lord Hastings, Charles Metcalfe, Macaulay, Ripon.

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Development of Press during British rule-MPSC Study Notes