Evolution of Indian Press: From Hickey’s Gazette to the Registration Act, 1867

The pioneers of Indian journalism played a crucial role in shaping the press in the country. The initial efforts were made by disgruntled East India Company employees who aimed to expose the Company’s malpractices. The first newspaper in India, “The Bengal Gazette,” was published by James Augustus Hickey in 1780. Over the years, the Indian press faced numerous challenges and evolved through various regulations and acts.

Pioneers and Evolution of Indian Press: From Early Ventures to Regulatory Acts

Pioneers in Indian Journalism

• Early Attempts at Journalism in India: The initial attempts to publish newspapers in India were made by dissatisfied East India Company employees who aimed to expose the Company’s malpractices in private trade. 
• William Bolts’ Unfulfilled Ambition: In 1776, William Bolts, who had been censured by the Court of Directors for his private trading activities, resigned from the Company and announced his intention to publish a newspaper. 
  • He claimed to possess information that deeply concerned every individual. 
  • The Company responded swiftly, leading to the early demise of Bolts’ newspaper venture.
• James Augustus Hickey: The Pioneer of Indian Journalism 
  • He made history by publishing the first newspaper in India in 1780, titled “The Bengal Gazette” or “Calcutta General Advertiser.” 

• It is known for outspoken criticism of government officials, and scathing attacks on the Governor-General and the Chief Justice. 
• However, Hickey’s press was seized by authorities in 1782, reflecting the challenges faced by early Indian journalists.

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Expansion of the Indian Press

• Emergence of New Publications: New publications began to emerge, such as “The Calcutta Gazette” (1784), “The Bengal Journal” (1785), “The Oriental Magazine of Calcutta or Calcutta Amusement” (1785), “The Calcutta Chronicle” (1786), “The Madras Courier” (1788), and “The Bombay Herald” (1789). 
  • The promoters of these publications learned from Hickey’s experience and avoided direct confrontations with the authorities.
• Limited Circulation: During the early period, the circulation of newspapers in India remained limited, typically at most a hundred or two hundred copies. 
• Concerns of the East India Company: These newspapers primarily catered to the intellectual entertainment of the European and Anglo-Indian communities.
  • The risk of subverting public opinion in India was minimal. 
  • Concern for East India Company officers: They feared these newspapers would reach London and expose their wrongdoings to the Home authorities. 
• Discretion of Company Officials: In the absence of specific press laws, company officials had discretion over the newspapers. 
  • The government occasionally imposed pre-censorship and, at times, deported editors who expressed anti-government policies.

Early Press Regulations and Acts

• The Censorship of the Press Act, 1799: In 1799, Lord Wellesley, anticipating a potential French invasion of India and engaged in a struggle for supremacy in the region, implemented the Censorship of the Press Act.  It imposed wartime press restrictions. 
  • This act required newspapers to prominently print in each issue such as the name of the printer, editor, and proprietor.
  • It mandated that the publisher submit all materials for pre-censorship to the Secretary to the Government.
• Penalties and Expansion of the Censorship Act: Violating these rules carried the penalty of immediate deportation. 
• In 1807, the Censorship Act was expanded to encompass newspapers, journals, pamphlets, and even books.
• Relaxation of Press Restrictions Under Lord Hastings: Press restrictions were relaxed under Lord Hastings’s leadership. 
• The Governor-General aimed to put his liberal ideas into practice, successfully introducing some of the progressive views that were gaining traction in England. 
• In 1818, the practice of pre-censorship of the press was abolished.
• Protection of James Buckingham: However, the Government established some general guidelines for newspaper editors to follow. 
  • The intent was to prevent the discussion of topics that might undermine the government’s authority or be detrimental to public interests. 
  • It’s worth noting that, despite the wishes of some members of his Council, particularly John Adams, the Governor-General declined to revoke James Buckingham’s license as editor of The Calcutta Journal or deport him.

Adam’s Licensing Regulations, 1823 

• The appointment of John Adams as the acting Governor-General in 1823 provided him with the opportunity to put his reactionary views into action. The Press Regulations of 1823 turned out to be more severe than any previous press regulations. 
• This New Regulations Mandated that:
  • Every printer and publisher had to obtain a license before establishing or using a printing press
  • The penalty for printing and/or publishing any literature without the required license was set at Rs. 400 for each such publication, with imprisonment as an alternative punishment for default. Magistrates were granted the authority to seize unlicensed presses.
  • The Governor-General held the right to revoke a license or request a fresh application.
  • The reasoning behind the ordinance and its subsequent application indicates that Adams’ regulations primarily targeted newspapers published in Indian languages or those edited by Indians. Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s “Mirat-ul-Akbar” was forced to cease publication. Following Adams’ regulations, only three Bengali and one Persian newspaper continued publication in Calcutta. J. S. Buckingham was also deported to England as a result of these stringent regulations.

Metcalfe and Liberation of the Indian Press, 1835 

• Liberal Approach Under Lord William Bentinck: Under the governance of Lord William Bentinck, a more liberal approach was adopted regarding the press. 
  • While Adams’ press regulations were not annulled, the press, both Indian and Anglo-Indian, was granted significant freedom for discussion. 
• Charles Metcalfe: The Liberator of the Indian Press: 
  • However, it was Charles Metcalfe, the officiating Governor-General from 1835 to 1836, who repealed the oppressive ordinance of 1823, earning him the epithet of the ‘Liberator of the Indian Press.’
• Mandate of Indian Press Act 1935:
  • It required that printers and publishers provide a true and precise account of their publication premises. 
  • It also allowed printers and publishers to cease their functions through a similar declaration.
  • The outcome of this more liberal press policy, which remained in effect until 1856, was a rapid proliferation of newspapers across the country. 
  • This period marked a significant expansion of press freedom in India.
• Support from Lord Macaulay: Lord Macaulay, a staunch Whig, supported the case for a free press in India. 
• He argued that, since the Government possessed unquestionable powers of intervention when the safety of the state was at risk, it was unnecessary to maintain the offensive forms and ceremonial aspects of despotism during times of peace, so a new Press Act was introduced.

The Licensing Act, 1857

• Emergency Measures During the Rebellion of 1857: The Rebellion of 1857 created an emergency situation that prompted the British colonial government to reinstate restrictions on the press in India. 
• Introduction of the Licensing Act, 1857: Act No. XV of 1857, known as the Licensing Act, was introduced to reintroduce licensing constraints in addition to the existing registration procedure outlined in the Metcalfe Act.
• Mandates of the Licensing Act: 
  • Under this Act, it became illegal to possess or operate a printing press without a license obtained from the Government. 
  • The Government was also granted discretionary powers to issue licenses and had the authority to revoke them at its discretion. 
  •  The Act empowered the Government to prohibit the publication or circulation of any newspaper, book, or other printed material.
• Temporary Nature of the Act: It is important to note that this Act was enacted as an emergency measure, and its duration was limited to one year. 
  • Charles Metcalfe’s regulations, however, continued to be in effect alongside this new Act, reflecting the government’s tightening control over the press during this period.

The Registration, Act, of 1867 

• The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867: In 1867, the Act XXV of 1867, known as the Press and Registration of Books Act, was enacted, replacing Metcalfe’s Act of 1835, which pertained to the registration of printing presses and newspapers. 
  • Unlike the previous regulations that primarily imposed restrictions, this Act had a regulatory nature.
• This Act Mandated that:
  • Every book or newspaper was required to prominently display the name of the printer and publisher, along with the place of printing, in a legible manner. 
  • Within one month of a book’s publication, a copy of the book had to be provided to the local government free of charge. 
• Amendments and Revisions: The Act underwent several amendments, with revisions made in 1890, as well as in 1914, 1952, and 1953. 
• Sedition Section and Indian Penal Code: It’s worth noting that Act XXVII of 1870, an Act to amend the Indian Penal Code, was passed during this period and included a sedition section. 
  • This development was prompted by the government’s concerns arising from the Wahabi revolt of 1869-70, leading them to seek broader powers to address seditious writings and speeches promptly and effectively. 
  • Later, this section was incorporated into the Indian Penal Code as Section 124-A.

Quick Glance: Censorship of Press Act, 1799 to Registration Act, 1867

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Conclusion

The journey of the Indian press from its inception to the establishment of regulatory acts reflects its significant impact on society and governance. 

• Despite facing stringent regulations and censorship, the press gradually gained more freedom, leading to the proliferation of newspapers across the country. 
• These early struggles and triumphs laid the foundation for a robust and dynamic Indian media landscape.

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