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Role of newspapers
The history of newspapers in India began with the publication of English language newspapers. The Bengal Gazette (1780),
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the first English-language newspaper in the history of Indian newspapers, was published by James Augustus Hickey for three decades. These newspapers acted as mouthpieces for English society in terms of public relations. Indian public opinion was not represented at all. As a result of the realization of the importance of newspapers by modern educated Indians, many newspapers were published in regional languages from the second decade of the nineteenth century. Against the backdrop of the rapidly increasing popularity of newspapers published in regional languages, the British rulers became aware of the freedom of the press and its role in society. Foreign rulers could well realize that free and controlled newspapers in India would pose a threat to British authority.
The government recognized that regional language newspapers contributed significantly to India's renaissance and nationalism. That is why the government introduced controls on regional language newspapers. In 1799, Lord Belsley (1798-1804) restricted Indian newspapers through the Press Regulations. In 1817 Lord Hastings (1813-23) lifted some restrictions on Indian newspapers and gave editors freedom of expression on certain issues. In 1823, Sir John Adam, the Provisional Governor General of India, again imposed restrictions on Indian language newspapers. Raja Rammohan Roy (1772-1833) strongly opposed this. In protest, he suspended the publication of his weekly newspaper, Mirat al-Akhbar. He petitioned the Calcutta High Court and the Governor General of Bengal to stop such injustice to the Desi newspapers. There was no immediate result, but in 1835 the Provisional Governor-General, Sir Charles Metcalfe (1835-36), lifted the restrictions on indigenous newspapers. After the restrictions were lifted, a number of newspapers were published in marginal languages.
Vernacular newspapers created public opinion against the British government in the minds of Indians by bitterly criticizing the actions of the imperialist rulers. Newspapers published from Bengal contribute the most. In the second half of the nineteenth century, the newspapers Bengal Darshan, Sanjeevani, Arya Darshan and Amritbazar Patrika, which were widely circulated in Bengal, played an important role in the development of national identity among Indians. These newspapers exposed the exploitation of Indians by the British rule. The British rulers were concerned about the self-awareness developed in the educated society. From 1861 onwards, there was a food shortage in many parts of India. Many Indians died of famine. Lord Lytton (1876-80) and his subordinate provincial rulers were severely criticized by vernacular newspapers for the government's failure to take action to alleviate food shortages. Lytton, hit by this sector, issued the infamous “Press Act” in 1878 to restrict newspapers in Indian regional languages. Many newspapers were about to cease publication as a result of the interference in Indian newspapers. The magazines Hindu in Madras, Keshari in Bombay, Bengal Darshan in Bengal and Amrit Bazar were temporarily closed down. The magazine 'Amrit Bazar was published in English to avoid the infamous Press Act.
Governor General Lord Lytton passed the Arms Act in 1878 prohibiting Indians from carrying firearms. Lytton's main objective was to distinguish between the ruler and the ruled, not to apply this law to the English or other Europeans. His act proved that Indians were not of equal status with Europeans. Litton's 'Arms Act' and 'Press Act' angered the Indians. Indians gradually moved to protect their dignity.
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