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 1878
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.
Table of Content
- Vernacular Press Act Background
- Who Passed the Vernacular Press Act in 1878?
- Objectives of the Vernacular Press Act of 1878
- Vernacular Press Act – Provisions
- Vernacular Press Act Impact
- Opposition and Criticism of The Vernacular Press Act of 1878
- Repeal and Legacy of Vernacular Press Act