How did the British pass certain regulations to control freedom of press in India?
Answer:
- By 1820s, the Calcutta Supreme Court passed certain regulations to control the freedom of press.
- The Company began encouraging newspapers that would celebrate British rule.
- Many editors gave urgent petitions to Governor General Bentick, who agreed to revise Press Laws.
- After the revolt of 1857, the attitude to freedom of press changed.
- Engaged Englishmen demanded control on the vernacular press as they were becoming nationalists.
- In 1878, the Vernacular Press Act was passed. It provided the government with extensive rights to censor reports and editorial in the vernacular press.
- From now on, the government kept regular check on the vernacular newspapers published in different provinces.
- When a report was judged as seditious, the newspapers were warned, and if the warning went ’ ignored, the press would be seized by the government and printing machinery confiscated.