Vernacular Press Act 1878

RKP
RKP
Sep 8, 2018 · 2 min read

Vernacular press act was enacted in 1878 by lytton the viceroy and governor general of india(1876–1880). The act was framed on the model of Irish press act.

This act empowered the government to control the press in following way

  1. To force the news publishers to go under a bond which state that they will not print any news material or content which can bring the discontent against the government in public. If they do so, the security amount can be confiscated by the government and their press can be siezed.
  2. Applicable to all non-english newspapers. The content of the vernacular news paper should be same as the english news paper.
  3. Government officers can search and seize the press office any time in case of suspicion.
  4. Orginal content should be go through the verification before priniting and whether the content is seditious or not was to be decided by the police and not by the jury.

Why this act enacted?

In the later half of the 19th century there was several newspapers getting published there was around 20 english news paper and 200 news paper. News papers are one of the major medium to criticize the government and its policies and to keep aware the people of india about the evil policies of the government.

Response of Indian people against this act?

Governement has enacted this act before any prior notice and in hurry. It has taken a significant amount by the editors to understand the act. People strongly denounced this act and protest against it. Many leaders condemend this act as unwarranted and unjustified and demanded its immediate withdrawl. Resentment of this act had worked as catalyst for the Indian independence movement. Indian Association(1876) strongly opposed this act. Observing the dangerous consequences of this act Lord Ripon finally repealed it in1881.

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