Why did the attitude of the colonial government towards the freedom press changed after the revolt of 1857? What are the measures to control the freedom press?
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The Revolt of 1857 is also known as the First War of Independence. It was a major uprising against the British. It gave a severe jolt to the British rule in India.
The press played an important role in educating public opinion and influencing government policies through criticism and censure. Indian leaders started newspapers which helped to arouse national consciousness. In this way the press became a major weapon in the hands of the nationalists. So the British rulers decided to curb its freedom.
They passed a number of Acts like:
i. Vernacular Press Act 1878 - This Act was passed to prevent the Vernacular Press from criticizing the British rule. According to it any magistrate or Commissioner of Police could ask a printer or publisher of a newspaper to enter into a bond. This would restrict him from printing anything which threatened peace and security. Any writing which was considered objectionable would be confiscated. He had to submit all the proof sheets of contents of the paper to the police prior to publication.
ii. Indian Press Act 1910 - The printer or publisher had to pay a security deposit of minimum Rs.500 and maximum Rs.2000 for registration. If he published any objectionable matter the amount would be forfeited and the registration would be cancelled.
iii. Indian Press Act 1931 - It aimed to curb the propaganda for Civil Disobedience Movement.
iv. Press Regulating Act 1942 - It demanded compulsory registration of journalists. It imposed restrictions on the content related to acts of sabotage and civil disturbances.
The press played an important role in educating public opinion and influencing government policies through criticism and censure. Indian leaders started newspapers which helped to arouse national consciousness. In this way the press became a major weapon in the hands of the nationalists. So the British rulers decided to curb its freedom.
They passed a number of Acts like:
i. Vernacular Press Act 1878 - This Act was passed to prevent the Vernacular Press from criticizing the British rule. According to it any magistrate or Commissioner of Police could ask a printer or publisher of a newspaper to enter into a bond. This would restrict him from printing anything which threatened peace and security. Any writing which was considered objectionable would be confiscated. He had to submit all the proof sheets of contents of the paper to the police prior to publication.
ii. Indian Press Act 1910 - The printer or publisher had to pay a security deposit of minimum Rs.500 and maximum Rs.2000 for registration. If he published any objectionable matter the amount would be forfeited and the registration would be cancelled.
iii. Indian Press Act 1931 - It aimed to curb the propaganda for Civil Disobedience Movement.
iv. Press Regulating Act 1942 - It demanded compulsory registration of journalists. It imposed restrictions on the content related to acts of sabotage and civil disturbances.
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