the origins of journalism in india

The Origins of Journalism in India

Seema NarendranRamnarain Ruia College

From time immemorial, news comprised of issues, laws or actions that kings or governments (currently) dealt with or implemented

Inscriptions on walls of temples, on copper plates, victory coins and writing on walls

Town criers, wandering minstrels, folk artists


The newspaper as we know today is of European origin

Wall posters were the forerunners of the newspaper in Europe

They first appeared in Venice, in 1566 They were called Notize Scritte (written

notices) and were displayed in public places A small token fee of a small coin called

gazetta was levied on those who wanted to read them


Individual newsletters sent to businessmen and statesmen containing foreign news

News books

1621 primitive news sheet called coranto

The first periodical to come close to the newspaper was the Oxford Gazette in 1655


Printed twice a week and after 24 issues became the London Gazette

It was in the 18 century that the newspaper as we know now – with daily publication and miscellaneous content emerged

Parties emerged at the very time when the newspapers came to be a force in the political and social affairs of a people interested more and more in government


Once the authorities realised the value of printing and publishing news, they kept a firm grip on the press and nothing could be published without a license

It was a time which presented the writer with two options : truth and lies

One could not know easily where truth lay and so authority had to lead the way


On March 11, 1702, the first daily newspaper appeared in London , the Daily Courant

Produced and sold by E. Mallet, it lasted only for a few days

However, it was revived by Samuel Buckley who made it into a remarkable newspaper


He did not want it to be a rumour mill and was determined that it should report factual news rather than opinion

He was always careful to indicate the place and date for the news he published, so that “the public seeing from what country a piece of news comes with the allowance of that Government, may be better able to judge of the credibility and fairness of the relations”


Newspapers in India

The newspaper came to India as an alien product, one of the benefits of British rule

In the early years it was confined to and served the interests of the ruling classes

The East India company not favourably inclined to newspapers and specially criticisms

The press in India controlled by Englishmen drew its strength from the power of the press in England


Calcutta- Birthplace of Journalism in India First newspaper- Bengal Gazette (Calcutta

General Advertiser)- January 29th 1780 in Calcutta, two sheet weekly

Editor : James Augustus Hicky Gossip and scandal- for European readers No editorial, but Hicky’s Column Described as a ‘witty and scurrilous’ paper


Hicky was not popular with officials, merchants and businessmen

Ample publicity to social do’s and life, but also ridiculed them

Used the paper to hit out at people he disliked Enmity of Governor general Warren Hastings


‘Indian Gazette’ rival to the Bengal Gazette came in the same year

4 pages, 16 inches long, well printed and better

Readers started deserting him Hicky attacked his proprietors (suspected for

supplying types to his rival) Indian Gazette was also granted postal

facilities, whereas Hicky was denied Hicky complained to readers Advised to approach Mrs Hastings


In 1781 Hicky was convicted of defamation on two counts, sentenced to a year of imprisonment and Rs 2000 fine

Although in prison, the Bengal Gazettte continued to appear and was now more defiant

Great public support


But in March 1782, Hastings seized the types used for printing on the paper and Hickys Gazette winded up

Within 6 years of Hickys newspaper four weeklies and a monthly were started in Calcutta

In Bombay and Madras there were very few newspapers


In 1785 the Madras Courier which was officially recognized and owned by the government printer

1793- Hurkaru, Editor Boyd which lasted one year

The Indian Herald an unauthorized newspaper edited by Humphrey

He was punished for printing without permission


There were no newspapers in Bombay till 1789

1789, the Bombay Herald was started

It merged into the Bombay Gazette in 1791 and became an official publication

The Courier started in 1790 had the distinction of carrying Gujrathi ads to serve Indian readership


The governments attitude was one of contempt for newspapers and their editors

The government exercised strict control over the press. Parliament proceedings in England could not be published in India as they were considered “seditious literature”


William Bolts was prosecuted for supplying information of Parliamentary proceedings to Siraj-Ud-Daula, the Nawab of Bengal

Newspapers in Bengal were ordered in 1785- not to publish resolutions of the governor- generals council

General pre-censorship on news- Submit copies before being published


The press was submissive in Madras and Bombay, not so in Calcutta

William Duane the Editor of Bengal Journal accused of publishing false report of the death of Lord Cornwallis in 1791

He refuses to publish apology, saying that the source of his news was a prominent Frenchman


Ordered to be deported, saved by intervention of a French agent

He however lost his editorship and became a marked man

Started another paper Indian World which ran for three years

Finally was deported in late 1794


Indian newspapers were disgusted with the complete lack of freedom

Some reprinted articles from Britain, were duly penalized

Some wrote articles resembling their British contemporaries

All highly critical of the government


James Silk Buckingham Hailed as the first real journalist in India in the

early 19th century Described by Nehru as “earliest champions

of freedom of the Press and a man who is still remembered in this country”

Came to India as the Editor of the Calcutta Chronicle which was started by some Calcutta merchants to propagate their views and protect their interests


The first issue on October 2 1818, indicated that it would be a chronicle of political, commercial and literary news and views

Buckingam was a scholar in anthropology and literature, well read and a keen observer of customs and habits of people

He brought a breath of fresh air to atmosphere polluted by scandal-mongering, frivolous and flippant Press


Introduced his readers to great writers like Walter Scott, Byron etc

Introduced drawings and charts in the paper to make matter more interesting and easy to understand

Laid more emphasis on news of local conditions than fashion and social life of people


A notable feature was letters to editor, very different from what used to appear in other newspapers

Criticism just and fair


Editorials were on government policies regarding issues like, postal services, military establishments, deportation laws, Govt. indifference etc

Fearless in condemning Indian social evils like Sati and the governments inability to put an end to them


Gave prominence to native language journals like Bengali and Persian

Friend of Indian press, defended its right to exist and voice the opinion of the Indian people

He wrote in his editorial, “ The languages of the East are surely fit for noble purposes than being conned over in schools and colleges and stored up in lexicons”


Was the inspiration behind the growth of Indian journalism

The advent of public discussion, public conduct of bureaucrats and state functionaries and educated public opinion were thanks to him

Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Buckhingam shared a mutual admiration for each other


He believed that “ If knowledge is a blessing and ignorance a curse, then the objective of a good Press would be to dispel the latter and promote the former”

His opinions were revolutionary, especially in the background of the prevailing notion about the Press


He believed that “ when men know the eyes of the world upon them and that their conduct will be scrutinised by their enemies as well as their friends, they are more careful to act justly than when they know that their deeds will neither be seen nor questioned.”


Calcutta Chronicle soon appeared twice a week and became an eight pages paper

Had rivals in eight other papers and these led by major competitor Asiatic Mirror editor Boyce. Boyce attacked Buck on many occasions, raked up his mysterious past, tried demeaning him on many accounts

Not much is known about his past except that he sympathised with the Whigs


Whig" and "Tory" are political party labels that have been in use in England since around 1681--and their specific meaning has varied somewhat with changing historical circumstances.

By extension, then, the Whigs were seen as asserting the primacy of Parliament over the monarch, while the Tories were seen as asserting the inverse.


Whigs believed that the King was there at the request and goodwill of the people of the country so could only continue to rule at their approval.

The Tories believed in the divine right of Kings to rule - that they were ordained by God


Buckingam was not a favorite with the government due to constant criticism of their policies.

The advocate general and a section of the Supreme Court wanted him deported

Though he had the support of Hindu intellectuals like Roy it was more of a disability than a strength to him


Though he was acquitted in that particular case, his detractors finally managed to have him deported in 1823

He appointed an Anglo Indian as his successor (Anglo Indians could not be deported)

Government realised that deportation ceased to be effective and fool proof


Censorship of press in India took a new turn

New order was passed prohibiting publication and selling of newspapers and journals which the governor might disapprove


Buckingham’s ‘folly’ Took topics that touched roots of

administration Repeated disclosures of official malpractices Success in securing redressal of grievances Gaining popularity Influencing public opinion Discussing topics sensitive to the East India

Company


Even after Buckingam left, Calcutta Chronicle continued with full vigour

Attempts were made to suppress the paper

But the editor was half Indian, therefore could not deported, other paltry punishments proved ineffective


However, Arnot a sub-editor was imprisoned, he appealed, since no case against him, was released

But he was ‘transported’ back to England.

Though he was kept a prisoner he was told to pay expenses


Calcutta Chronicle temporarily stopped till the son-in-law of Buckingam accepted editorship

Buckingam appealed to the Board of Directors and Parliament against the injustice meted out to him and his paper


Finally he was awarded a compensation of 200 pounds annually

Calcutta Chronicle meanwhile continued, no longer in its former glory


Buckingam’s contributionHe made the newspaper the mirror of the

people. He manifested the spirit of enquiry and criticism. And he imparted to the Press, the quality of leadership. By deporting him, the bureaucracy wanted to warn others. But it could not put out the spark he had kindled. Buckingham was one of those rare journalists who are born rather than made.”


A FEW CHANGES

• Deportation of journalists disgusted many Englishmen, a few who were high ranking officials in East India Company

• Charles Forbes in the House of Commons,1825, “conduct of the govt. in India loudly calls for the intervention of Parliament… natives are continually imprisoned without trial… native ruler behind bars for 15 years for no reason”


Called the restrictions on the Press “absurd”

and “useless”

A Colonel Robinson wrote to a Calcutta journal that the

“Press did more to check abuse of power, foul play, illegal trading and cheating cases than all the regulations of the Bengal Code”


New Laws

1825- “Company servants should have no connection either as proprietors or editors with any journal which was not devoted to literary or scientific topics”

Licensing-Bombay Govt. passed a law ‘to prohibit the publication of any NP except by person holding a license, which will be revocable at will by the Governor’


Press before the awakening of Indian Nationalism 1800 to 1840- Dark years for India & UKo England – Complete misadministrationo India- absolute autocracy o Natives- Immersed in taxes

The Press which had been subject to ordinary laws under Hastings now became subservient to the Company by arbitrary licensing laws


THE END

the origins of journalism in india

Documents

daily newspaper

indiathe newspaper

publishing news

piece of news

factual news

primitive news sheet

daily publication

daily courantproduced