THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY March 12, 1955 The Story of the Indian Press Reba Chaudburi
(Continued from page 292 of issue dated February 26, 1955)
BOUT this time two domi social and administrative evils and dealt with printing presses and news A nating personalities appeared critically examined the British policy papers and later came to be known on the scene—James Silk Bucking both in India and Ireland. With as ' The Press and Registration of ham and Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the extinction of Calcutta Journal, Books Act '. After this it was —who were destined to play a sig the John Bull and Hurkara took up amended by Act X of 1890 and by nificant part in the fight for the free the controversy of the freedom of Acts III and X of 1914 and it was dom of the Press. Both attracted the Press. further modified in 1952 and 1953. staunchest supporters from among VERNACULAR PRESS ACT their countrymen and at the same LORD BENTINCK'S ENCOURAGEMENT time provoked the bitterest anta Meanwhile, Government was be John Adam's regulations were the gonisms. Buckingham edited his coming increasingly uneasy about the fore-runner of the Vernacular Press paper, Calcutta Journal, fearlessly attitude of the Press generally and Act of 1878 which both in concep till 1823 when he was deported. its relation with Government. It tion and its application drew a clear Raja Ram Mohan's incursion into was particularly apprehensive of the distinction between the two sections Indian language press as preparations journalism was only to propagate of the Press. Following the Press for the rebellion of 1857 were made the truth and have it tested in the regulations,, the Indian-owned Indian with the use of seemingly harmless light of discussion. His conception language papers seemed to have kept words and symbols. In 1878, the of freedom of the Press was freedom clear of political topics for about Vernacular Press Act was passed with to pursue the truth and to evolve seven years. In July 1824, C J Fair, a view to having better control over a way of life proved by the test of Editor of the Bombay Gazette, was newspapers published in Indian reason. hauled up for casting aspersions on languages, in spite of the representa the Supreme Court and asked to tion made from all the Indian presses VIEWED WITH FEAR furnish a security of Rs 20,000. As concerned. A deputation on behalf he was unable to do so, he was de Raja Ram Mohan's paper and the of the Indian Press Association wait ported. During this period, though progressive Indian Press were view ed upon the Viceroy under the lead liberal concessions were allowed to ership of Surendranath Banerjee, ed with apprehension in official cir papers published by the Scrampore But it was all in vain. The gagging cles, while newspapers which favour missionaries, only nominal conces Act of 1857 was a much milder piece ed the orthodox point of view did sions were given to Indian-owned of legislation than the Press Act of not attract the same measure of hos Indian language newspapers. Ford tile attention. Almost simultaneous Bentmck's assumption of Governor- 1878. ly with Raja Ram Mohan's news Generalship was marked by a signi The Vernacular Press Act was re- paper, a powerful orthodox Hindu ficant change in the attitude of the pealed in December 1881 under the Press came into being which oppos Government towards the Press in enlightened regime of Lord Ripon. ed social and religious reforms at general and the Indian language 'The Nationalist movement since 1883 every stage throughout the nine Press in particular. Bentinck saw gave an impetus to the development teenth century. James Silk Bucking the obvious advantage of newspapers of the Press in India. As a matter ham, more than any other single per published in Indian languages pur of fact, it is very difficult- to distin son, by a tireless campaign against suing freely social controversies, and guish the development of the Press the restrictions and censorship im of generally relaxing the restrictions and important events in this respect posed on the Press, convinced many on all sections of the Press in the from the crucial events and develop eminent minds in England and in interest of efficient administration. ments of the Nationalist movement, India of the useful function which He extended facilities to newspapers, a free press could perform by an and between 1831-1833 nineteen A number of Press Laws and res exposure of the lapses of the ad newspapers came into existence. A trictions were enforced and placed on ministration and by criticising its noteworthy development at this time the statute book from time to time. policies. Governor-General John was that both Bengal and Bombay After the establishment of the Indian Adam passed an ordinance in De started official gazettes, the Bombay National Congress, there were sec cember 1823 which required that Government Gazette and the Cal tions 124A and 153A of the Penal all matters to be printed in a press cutta Gazette. In Madras about this Code enacted in 1898. There was also section 565 of the Indian Penal or to be published thereafter, except time two newspapers were started, one in Tamil and the other in Code. Four new measures were shipping intelligence, etc, should be Telugu. In NW Provinces, a Hindi enacted between 1908-191;, namely, printed and published under a journal and an Urdu journal were the Newspapers (Incitement to licence from the Governor-General successfully launched under Govern Offences) Act of 1908, the Press Act in Council. The application for a ment patronage. of 1910, the Prevention of Seditious a license should give all the details Meetings Act of 1911 and the Crimi regarding printer, publisher, pro In 1867, an act for the regulation nal Law Amendment Act of 1908. prietor, etc. Among the newspapers of printing presses and newspapers, There was also" the Official Secrets whose writings were cited in justi for the preservation of copies of books Act as amended in 1903. fication of these regulations was Ram printed in British India and for the Mohan's Mirat-ll-Akbar. The paper regulation of these was passed to DEFENCE OF IINDIA ACT was restrained in its language and replace the Metcalfe Act XI of 1835. In 1914 the enactment of the constructive in criticism, but dealt In this Act were incorporated all the Defence of India Act added to the provisions of the Metcalfe Act which restrictions imposed on the Press.
347 March 12, 1955 THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY
The Press Association of India in a at the suppression of all news relat Procedure Code should not be appli- memorandum on the operation of ing to Congress activities. The noti ed to the Press. the Press Act of 1910 stated that fication was withdrawn after consul (6) All action taken against the nearly 1,000 papers had been prose tation with the All-India Newspaper Press in the exercise of emergency cuted under the Act. The total Editors' Conference which gave an powers should be preceded by con-. amount of securities and forfeitures assurance that newspapers would sultation between the Provincial which went into the hands of Gov observe certain voluntary restraints Governments and Press Advisory ernment during the first five years in the matter of publication of news Committees or similar bodies. of the Act was nearly Rs 5 lakhs regarding the ' Quit India ' move according to another official return ment organised by the Congress. THE PRESS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION made in 1918. Over 500 publica An account of the development With the adoption of the Consti tions were proscribed under the Act. of the Press would be incomplete tution m January 1950, the Govern The Defence Act Rules in India were without a reference to unauthorised ment of India was confronted with not merely used for war purposes, and cyclostyled news-sheets which a new set of problems in regard to but also for all political purposes so were circulated from time to time. the Press. Certain newspapers as to carry out the policy of the Some were published when press against which action had been taken Indian Government in regard to re restrictions resulted either in the successfully appealed to the High pression of political agitation or free closing down of newspapers or in Court and the Supreme Court which public criticism of its normal acts newspapers being compelled to ex overruled the action of the Executive and methods of administration in clude the news of the national move on the ground that they were ultra India. ment from their columns, while vires of Article XIX (2) of the Con others were underground publications stitution. This Article laid down PRESS EMERENCY ACT 1931 even in normal times. At one time, that ' Nothing in the sub-clause (a) instructions were communicated by When Gandhiji started his Salt of clause 1 of the Article (which means of writings on walls and Satyagraha in March 1930, the peace guaranteed the right of freedom of streets. In 1930, the promulga between the Press and Government, speech and expression to all citizens) tion of a Press Ordinance made the which had been maintained for nine shall affect the operation of any exist printing of Gandhiji's Young India years, snapped, A Press Ordinance ing law in so far as it related to, or impossible, and it was issued in was issued, reproducing the stringent prevent the State from making any cyclostyled sheets. provisions of the repealed Press Act law regarding, libel, slander, defama of 1910, on January 4, 1932. Simul When in September 1946, a tion, contempt of court or any mat taneously with Gandhiji's arrest, the popular interim Government was in ter, which offends against decency earlier Press Act of 1930 was ampli stalled at the Centre, almost imme or morality or which undermines the fied in the form of the Criminal Law diately, the extensive powers for the security of, or tends to overthrow, Amendment Act of 1932. The control of the Press assumed by the the State '. The Government of struggle for freedom passed through Government of India under the De India amended Article XIX of the many vicissitudes between 1932 and fence of India Rules came to an end. Constitution in the face of the strong 1946. There were intervals, though However, in 1946-47 many of the opposition of the All-India News brief, of understanding between Provincial Governments were compel papers Conference. The same year Government and the Congress. led to resort to Ordinances to bring the Press Objectionable Matters Act Throughout this period, however, the the communal situation under con was passed. Press Emergency Act of 1931 remain trol. These Ordinances were subse ed in force and was applied with quently replaced by emergency legis NEWS AGENCIES greater or less severity according to lation by the Provincial Govern political circumstances. The record ments. When the Vernacular Press Act of prosecution in the 15-year period was passed in 1878, a Press Commis exceeded the one under the 1910 PRESS LAWS ENQUIRY sioner was appointed to give informa tion to the English-owned and edited Act. Well over a 1,000 newspapers In March 1947, the Government Press. His function was later widened were victimised in Bombay, Bengal, of India appointed an enquiry com to enable him to deal with the langu Delhi, Madras, Punjab and UP. mittee to report on Press Laws in age Press too. Some of the English force in the country. The committee language papers like the Statesman, WORLD WAR II made certain recommendations. The Englishman and Indian Daily News more important of them are: When World War II broke out pooled their resources together and in 1939, the Government of India (1) The repeal of Indian States brought into being the Associated under the Defence of India Act arm Protection against Disaffection Act, Press of India with Buck and Coatee ed itself with the power of pre-ccn- 1922, and the Indian States Protec as its first directors. As K C Roy was sorship of material published in the tion Act 1934. refused a directorship, he formed a Press relating to certain matters. The (2) The repeal of the Indian Press rival organisation, the Press Bureau, penalty of imprisonment was extend (Emergency Powers) Act, 1931. together with Shri Usha Nath Sen, ed to five years; the Official Secrets Roy's genius threatened to develop (3) Hie repeal of Foreign Rela Act was amended to provide a maxi the Press Bureau into a serious rival, tions Act and the enactment in its mum penalty of death or transpor and he was offered a directorship on place of a more comprehensive mea tation for the publication of in the Associated Press of India. The sure on the basis of reciprocity. formation likely to be of use influence of K C Roy in the deve to the enemy. The Press Emer (4) The modification of section lopment of the modern Indian news gency Powers Act was also similarly 124A of the IPC and the exclusion, paper has been tremendous. Though amended. When Congress adopted by explanation, of the application of he was never an editor, his genius for the ' Quit India' resolution in 1942, section 153A, to the advocacy of the shaping of news have proved 4 a fresh notification was issued under peaceful change in the socio-econo more potent factor in bringing Indian Rule 41 of the Defence of India Act. mic order. journalism uptodate accordtng to Defence of India Rules directly aimed (5) Section 144 of the Criminal Western notions than that of any
348 THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY March 12, 1955
editor in the previous four decades. formed in 1939, to act as a central ring, of course, the war periods, in In 1915 K C Roy started the Indian organisation of the Press of India, a free and democratic country, why News Agency—a news bulletin of and to promote and safeguard com should such restrictions be imposed .about two typed pages foolscap sup mon business interests. Independent on the Press in the name of safe plied at the rate of Rs 60 per copy of the Indian and Eastern Newspaper guarding the infant democracy, when to leading civil and military officials. Society, but nevertheless from it, de the existence of a vigorous and in The Indian News Agency continued veloped the All-India Newspaper dependent Fourth Estate is the rear till 1947. Editors' Conference in 1940. The guarantor of a true democracy? At The Reuters Agency was started by All-India Newspaper Editors' Confer times one feels that these stringent Julius Renter as a carrier-pigeon ser ence was an outcome of the efforts of Press regulations are promulgated with vice on the continent and it develop some members of the Indian and a view to safeguarding the interests ed into a telegraphic news service Eastern Newspaper Society who were of the present administrators. To based on London in 1858, On matters alarmed by the comprehensive pre- quote Ratnavali, an old newspaper of relating to India and the service to censorship order in respect of news Bengal, " The King of England is and from India, Reuters was subject relating to the Satyagraha movement not in charge of government; the to strong official influence both in passed by Government in the closing people make a king of their own, as London and in Delhi. The Associated months of 1940. The Indian Fede in Bengal an earthen pot is put up Press of India was later on taken ration of Working Journalists came and worshipped." In the same way, over by Reuters, which was essentially into existence in October 29, 1950. the present administrators of the a British concern. Reuters and the The Federation has also kept a vigi country are not in charge of govern Associated Press were very much lant eye on all matters affecting the ment, but are put up there by the under official control. The news of rights of the Press and of working people of India and as such they non-co-operation and civil disobedi journalists. must not try to stifle the popular ence was kept down to the barest A perusal of this report leads one voice by introducing various Press re minimum in the early 'twenties, and to the conclusion that the Indian gulations in the name of safeguarding eminent Indians in politics and busi Press is today subjected to more the interests of the people. ness felt that on controversial matters stringent Press regulations than it like the rupee ratio, etc, their views was in prc-Independencc days, bar (Concluded) were not adequately carried to London, and this led to the esta blishment of the Free Press of India News Agency. In 1933 the United Press of India News Agency was started in Calcutta by Shri B Sen Gupta. In 1948 the newspapers in India joined hands and formed the Press Trust of India with the object of establishing a co-opera- tively-owned internal news agency. There are at present two news ser vices operating in India on a country wide basis, the Press Trust of India which subscribes to Reuters World Service and the United Press Trust of India which, by an agreement with the Agence France Presse, gives a service or foreign news to its sub scribers in India. The first press association was form ed in 1891, after proceedings had been instituted against the Bengali newspaper Bangabasi with the object of " improving the tone of the native Press and preserving moderation in the discussion of public questions ". In 191 5, five years after the rigorous enforcement of the Press Act of 1910 despite individual protests by political leaders and newspaper edi tors, the Press Association of India was formed for the defence of the interests of the Press in general, and protection against undue encroach ment upon its liberties by legislation and executive action. In the early 'twenties, a number of journalists' associations were formed at the prin cipal centres of newspaper production, notably in Bombay and Calcutta. After long negotiation, the Indian and Eastern Newspaper Society was