Vernacular Press Act Background

The Revolt of 1857 left an adverse memory of discrimination between the ruling class and the underclass. Unlike the local press, which was suspicious of the administration, the European press began to reliably support it in political arguments from 1858. However, a severe famine that struck in 1876–1877 and excessive spending on the imperial Delhi Durbar led to a strong public backlash against Lytton’s strategies of colonialism.

• In the second part of the nineteenth century, newspapers played an important role in generating new socio-political awareness, as the country’s vernacular press experienced fast growth.
• In the past, newspapers were exclusively published in Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, and Allahabad; however, they later began to appear in smaller places as well.
• Because newspapers were delivered in small towns, most of them were written in regional languages.
• When the act was passed in 1878, there were 200 regional newspapers and 20 English-language newspapers in publication.
• People’s understanding of political issues was increased by these local media, and they gradually began to ask questions about their rights.
• Lord Lytton enacted the Vernacular Press Act in 1878 to protect the government.

Removal of restriction of Press

Lord Hastings removed the restrictions on the press. To prevent the context that might create hatred between different racial, religious, or caste groups from appearing in newspaper articles, the Vernacular Press Act was enacted. Cranbrook, the state secretary of India, opposed the pre-censorship provision, which was ultimately removed. Lord Ripon, an effective press commissioner, was appointed to ensure that the Indian Press received news that was true and honest. In 1882, he completely invalidated the Vernacular Press Act (1878), which is regarded as one of the steps toward the abolition of press limitations.

Press Laws in India

India’s press rules changed over the years of British rule as a result of the initial struggle against restricted press restrictions. Press laws were passed in opposition to the “Press Objectionable Matter Act” in 1951, following India’s independence. In both India and the US, “Freedom of the Press” has never been specified by constitutional provisions. India’s press rules were enacted in 1860 as a general law, defining the offenses that publishers, editors, and writers were generally advised to stay away from. Press laws state that authors and publishers must refrain from committing defamatory and obscene offenses. Article 25 mentions the enactment of the “Press and Registration of Books Act” (1867), which was a significant event in the field of media laws.

Ethics of Media law

Print media covered a wide variety of media forms that were separated according to different ethical standards. Previously, broadcast cinema, the arts, print media, and theaters were considered standards for these media. All of these professions used to cover a variety of controversial topics, usually ranging from “war journalism” to “Benetton ad campaigns.”

In addition to privacy legislation, media law protects the private life of Indian individuals. The journalist was not allowed to publish information about the people’s private lives, which could have embarrassed and degraded them. It has been established that the media, or press law, is one of the key elements in the growth and development of nationalist movements and nationalism in India. It is also utilized to create a complex and rich national, cultural, economic, social, and political existence.

The Vernacular Press Act was passed by Lord Lytton in 1878 to prevent newspapers from publishing seditious information. The Act authorized the government to seize any newspapers that published what it considered to be “seditious material.” The purpose of the Vernacular Press Act (1878) was to limit journalistic freedom and reduce opposition to British policy, particularly since the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80). The act did not apply to Englishmen; it was just for Indians.

In this article, we will look into the background, objectives, provisions, impact, criticism, and legacy of the Vernacular Press Act of 1878.

Let’s explore.