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.
Vernacular Press Act 1878
Table of Content
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.
Who Passed the Vernacular Press Act in 1878?
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was passed by Lord Edward Robert Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, also known as Lord Lytton, who served as Viceroy of India from 1876 to 1880. The Act granted the British government the right to prosecute local newspapers for publishing whatever the government considered to be “seditious.”
Objectives of the Vernacular Press Act of 1878
The following were the main objectives of the Vernacular Press Act:
Censorship and Control
The Act was created to place strict restrictions on India’s vernacular press, especially on newspapers that are published in Indian languages like Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, and so on. It gave the government the authority to restrict and censor publications that it considered to be seditious.
Suppression of Nationalism
The Indian vernacular press was considered by the British colonial rulers as a powerful medium for the expression of nationalism and anti-colonial activism. By restricting press freedom and silencing opposing voices, the Vernacular Press Act aimed to stop the spread of these ideas.
Protection of Colonial Authority
The British aimed to preserve their dominance and control over India by placing limitations on the vernacular press. Since a free and active press could influence public opinion against the British administration and policies, they viewed it as a danger to their colonial control.
Preventing Unrest and Rebellion
The British were concerned that uncontrolled press freedom might encourage public dissatisfaction and uprising against their colonial authority. They felt that they could keep law and order and stop the spread of anti-British propaganda by controlling and suppressing the vernacular press.
Vernacular Press Act – Provisions
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was passed, with several provisions aimed at regulating and managing the vernacular press. Several major provisions included:
- The Act mandated publishers of vernacular newspapers to apply for and receive a government license. The colonial authorities were able to refuse permits to publications that they considered to be seditious or critical of British rule because of these licensing requirements.
- If a newspaper was found to have published offensive content, publishers were forced to place a security deposit with the government. This money might be reclaimed.
- The Act gave the colonial government plenty of power to suppress publications and stop the publication of anything considered seditious or likely to cause unrest among people. Government representatives had the power to review newspaper articles and remove any they found offensive.
- Publishers found guilty of breaking the Act faced severe fines. This includes jail time, fines, and the loss of security deposits.
- Newspaper publishers’ legal capacity to contest government censorship or punitive measures was severely limited under the Act. Because it granted immunity to government employees operating under its rules, publishers found it challenging to pursue legal action.
Vernacular Press Act Impact
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 had a major effect on Indian society and the liberation struggle against British rule.
Suppression of Free Speech
The Act gave the colonial administration considerable power to censor and regulate the vernacular press, severely restricting the right to free speech.
Restrictions on Press Freedom
The Act’s strict laws, which included censorship provisions, security deposit requirements, and license requirements, made it difficult for the independent press to operate. To prevent punishment from the government, several journals had to close or practice self-censorship.
Resistance and Opposition
Indian journalists, intellectuals, and nationalists resisted colonial censorship and repression in the face of the Vernacular Press Act’s oppressive provisions. They explored other channels for spreading knowledge and public opinion mobilization against British control.
Development of Nationalism
The Act promoted Indian nationalism by encouraging a sense of solidarity among Indians against harsh measures and causing rivalry against British colonial control. It encouraged demands for independence and self-rule and energized the liberation movement.
Role of Vernacular Press
The role of the vernacular press was important in influencing public opinion and gathering support for the nationalist movement while dealing with censorship and limitations. It gave politicians, intellectuals, and activists a forum to voice their complaints and demands for independence.
Opposition and Criticism of The Vernacular Press Act of 1878
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 faced strong opposition from several organizations and personalities.
- The Act was strongly opposed by Indian nationalists.They viewed it as a strict law to prevent the expansion of Indian nationalism.
- The leaders of the opposition were the editors and reporters of vernacular publications, who objected to the Act’s strict guidelines and censorship provisions that restricted their freedom to print and voice opposing opinions.
- Apart from Indian nationalists, the Act was also opposed by certain British liberals and members of the British Parliament for being dictatorial and restricting press freedom.
- Indian reformers, intellectuals, and social activists also opposed the Act, seeing it as an obstruction to social progress and a negative impact on public opinion and information distribution.
- Supporters of press freedom both nationally and globally opposed the Act for interfering with the fundamental right to freedom of expression. They demanded its repeal while stressing out how harmful it was to democratic governance and public accountability.
Repeal and Legacy of Vernacular Press Act
In 1881, Lord Ripon abolished the Vernacular Press Act. The purpose of the 1878 act was to restrict seditious literature in publications written in Oriental languages. The act discriminated against the Indian Press and prevented newspapers written in vernacular languages.
Writing against colonial rule was prohibited by the law for local newspapers. Also, it gave magistrates the power to hold security deposits, which they might take back if the printer broke the bond. A printer’s press might be taken if he committed the same mistake again.
Many segments of the Indian population protested the measure strongly and for a long time. Indian resentment over it acted as one of the reasons for the country’s growing independence struggle.
Conclusion on Vernacular Press Act
In conclusion, the British government was granted permission under the Vernacular Press Act to seize seditious articles that were printed in newspapers. In 1878, Lord Lytton passed the “Arms Act,” which prevented Indians from carrying firearms without a valid license. The British men were not included in this act. Lord Ripon abolished the Vernacular Press act in 1882. In India, it has been found that the media, or press law, has played an important part in the growth and development of nationalist movements and nationalism. It also helped to create a rich national, cultural, economic, social, and political environment.
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FAQs on Vernacular Press Act
Who passed the Vernacular Press Act in 1878?
The Vernacular Press Act was passed by the British government in 1878. Lord Lytton, the viceroy at that point, passed it to prevent local newspapers from publishing any harsh content about British policy.
Who repealed the Vernacular Press Act in 1882?
In 1882, Lord Ripon repealed the Vernacular Press Act. Indians felt dissatisfied with it, and this served as one of the reasons for the country’s growing independence movement.
What were the main features of Vernacular Press Act?
According to the Vernacular Press Act, any magistrate or Commissioner of Police could order a newspaper publisher or printer to post a bond promising not to print a specific kind of material. They could also seize any printed material they thought was offensive.
Why is the Vernacular Press Act called the Gagging Act?
Because it placed so many limitations on the press, the Vernacular Press Act called the Gagging Act. The media was silenced. In British India, the Vernacular Press Act was an act passed in 1878 that limited the freedom of the Indian-language (i.e., non-English) press.
Which law was repealed by Lord Ripon?
Lord Ripon repealed the Vernacular Press Act and the Arms Act to eliminate unacceptable racial exemptions.