The Vernacular Press

Press laws are used to govern book licensing and also look into the expression of freedom in all products of the printing press, mainly newspapers. Press freedom was usually held by the political writers for the removal of restrictions of press. In this regard legislation in India got enacted and the governments started believing that they can enact laws and act in-state interests, maintaining friendly bonds with public order, and foreign states. When it comes to the removal of restrictions of the press, the first thing can be considered press freedom as its extension. This extension was made for the benefit of the citizens of India so that they can deliver free expression and have the right to speech. 

Vernacular Press Act

In the year 1878, the Vernacular Press Act was established by Lord Lytton. The act was designed to control the “Vernacular Press” better and to repress and punish the “seditious reports”. The Vernacular Press Act also allowed the “British government” to confiscate newspaper assets which include the printing press and other media. If anything against the policies of the British government was found in the printing press, it was objected to and repressed with the help of the Vernacular Press Act. Key provisions that were included in this act were that the district magistrate was in power to check after the printing and publishing of newspapers before they enter into government undertaking sectors so that the reports do not dissatisfy any individual.

Removal of restriction of Press

Removal of restrictions on the press was done by Lord Hastings. The Vernacular Press Act was introduced for checking the published reports of newspapers as seditious or embarrassing language, or words that can cause rivalry among various races, religions, and castes. The secretary of the state of India, Cranbrook, opposed the clause of pre-censorship which was repealed later. In order to provide accurate and authentic news to the Indian Press, Lord Ripon, an efficient press commissioner was appointed. He repealed the whole Vernacular Press Act (1878) in the year 1882 and this is considered to be one of the phases of removal of restrictions on the press.   

Press Laws in India

Press laws in India evolved over years during British rule as a result of the “struggle” first against press laws that were restrictive. After India’s independence, Press laws were enacted against the “Press Objectionable Matter Act” in the year 1951. Constitutional provisions have never defined “Freedom of the Press” in both India and the US. Press laws in India were passed in the year 1860 (IPC) as the general law, and laid down the offence that usually publishers, editors, or writers should avoid. Press laws stated that the offences of obscenity and defamations should be avoided by the writers and publishers. Another important event that was famous in the media laws field was the “Press and Registration of Books Act” (1867) enactment, mentioned in Article no. 25. 

Ethics of Media law

There were various types of media included in “print media” subdivided with various principles of ethics. 

• The standard of these media used to include broadcast film, arts, media, print media, and theatres. All these fields used to cover different controversial topics, which usually ranged from “war journalism” to “ad campaigns of Benetton”
• Media law also comprises privacy laws that were there to protect Indian citizens’ private lives. The journalist was restricted from publishing news regarding the people’s private life which can be humiliating and embarrassing for them
• Media or Press law was determined to be one of the powerful factors in developing and building Nationalist movements and nationalism in India and also used to build complex and rich cultural, national, economic, social, and political existence
• Press laws in India also included some ethics like sharing common principles of accuracy, impartiality, public accountability, fairness, and truthfulness

Conclusion 

The Vernacular Press Act authorized the British government to confiscate the seditious writings that were published in newspapers. Lord Lytton passed the “Arms Act” in the year 1878 for prohibiting Indians from carrying weapons without any issued licence. This act excluded the British men. Removal of restriction of the press was first done by Lord Hastings in the year 1882. In the year 1799, Lord Wellesley established the “Censorship of Press Act” to anticipate the invasion of the French in India and this also imposed wartime removal of restrictions of the press.