History of Journalism in India and The role of Journalism in society

HISTORY OF JOURNALISM IN INDIA

India's journalism can be broadly divided into two categories: pre-independence journalism and post-independence journalism. The history of Indian journalism is particularly fascinating since it allows you to learn more about the backdrop or evolution that shaped Indian journalism into what it is today, rather than just looking at a list of notable activities or individuals in the Indian press. The history of Indian journalism was largely characterised by the fight against the British for India's independence. Unless otherwise specified, the struggle for independence of the Indian press was a struggle for India.

A summary of pre-independence journalism

Several censorship laws and actions by the British government against the British India press and media outlets characterised journalism in India's pre-independence era. Everyone had to follow distinct rules for the publication, dissemination, and circulation of news. The legislation were frequently repealed by the ruling bodies, but gradually they were replaced by new publications that examined every facet of the British raj, including its inadequacies and the injustices meted out to Indians. British citizens who attempted to publish the truth in newspapers were either imprisoned, heavily fined, or deported to England after having their licences revoked. Even death sentences were commuted for those who published criticisms of the administration.

People were inspired to rebel against British rule by vernacular newspapers like the Amrita Bazar Patrika. The Bengal Journal, Madras Courier, Bombay Herald, Calcutta Chronicle, and others were also widely read newspapers. After the Press Act was passed in 1910, the British government also gathered substantial sums in security and forfeitures. As a result of the uprisings and Indians' protests against British authority, several steps were made to regulate the media. Before word of the prisoner hunger strikes in India reached the general public, the situation was heavily suppressed and censored.

Additionally, journalists disseminated material covertly using unlawful techniques such hidden radio transmissions, graffiti, and cyclostyled sheets. These authors were primarily those whose works were suppressed by the British government.

An overview of journalism in the years following independence

After independence, various laws were implemented to liberalise the print media. Government officials like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, were ardent supporters of a freer press. According to him, having a "surprised or a regulated press" would be preferable to having a "free press with all the hazards associated with the incorrect use of freedom." On October 23, 1951, he passed the press undesirable issues legislation because he opposed the publication of news that would incite racial animosity and spiteful images.

Before the scenario changed into what is the norm in the nation now, a number of statutes were passed to protect the interests of the populace and the Indian press. Not just in journalism, but generally speaking, people have more freedom to express themselves while keeping an eye out for other people's rights. Of course, there are instances where people abuse the concept of freedom, in which case a nation's legal system can point them in the proper way. Indian journalism, in general, was a continual class between the people of the past and the sweat and blood of actual Indians, which brought about some degree of peace in Indian journalism.

The founder of Indian journalism was James Augustus Hicky.

The first newspaper in India was published in 1780 by a British named James Augustus Hicky under the name "Hicky's Bengal Gazette" or "the Original Calcutta General Advisor." As the pioneer of Indian journalism, he is well-known. The newspaper was filled with articles critical of Imperial diplomacy. The majority of the content was made up of adverts and was made up of British rumours and scandals without mentioning any specific individuals.

Hicky's Gazette ran for two years, from 1780 to 1782, before the East India company confiscated it for its provocative and outspoken tone. The first newspaper to be published in India came to an abrupt end as a result of this. James Augustus Hicky passed on in October 1802, having spent the remainder of his life in poverty and obscurity.

The European, James Silk Buckingham worked to establish a liberal press in India.

It is appropriate to bring up James Silk Buckingham when discussing Indian journalism. He was a British novelist who is highly regarded for his support of liberal and unafraid journalism. His 8-page fortnightly publication, the "Calcutta newspaper," was first made available in India in 1818 and cost one rupee. The daily includes articles on a variety of topics, including politics, literacy news, India, as well as adverts and editorials. The newspaper's debut edition was published on October 2nd, 1818.

James Buckingham fiercely decried the Sati system and the government's inability to do rid of it. He supported the identity and right to exist of the Indian press and was one of its friends. His newspaper was the earliest and most competent publication in pre-independent India, and he can legitimately be referred to as the country's first real journalist.

The function of Raja Ram Mohan in Indian journalism

In 1821, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a journalist and persistent social reformer, produced the first Bengali newspaper, Sambad kaumudi. The newspaper encouraged reading habits that Indians used as a primary forum for conversation and knowledge. It was a pro-reformist periodical that sought to end the Sati custom of burning widowed women alongside their husbands in the same fire. In addition, the newspaper criticised both British foreign policy and British behaviour towards Indians. Roy entered Indian journalism as another means of bringing about social change in Indian society.

Being a polyglot himself, he also started and published the Mirat-ul-Akbar magazine in Persian on April 12, 1822. Additionally, he communicated with India's senior decision-makers in Persian to notify them of events taking place in the nation. Due to the License Regulation Act, which forbade Indians from expressing anti-British attitudes, Mirat-ul-Akhbar shut down on April 4th, 1823. Roy also objected to the oppressive restrictions imposed by the British legislation.

ROLE OF JOURNALISM IN SOCIETY In India, a democracy, the media is considered the "fourth pillar" where the legislature, executive and judiciary are the other three pillars. The media plays a key role in the democratic life of the country's citizens because it informs people about socio-economic and political conditions. Media brings to the spotlight various concerns that need to be addressed and tries to bring us coverage of the events around the table. Mass media serves information even today in a process where entertainment is combined with an educational tool. It's called infotainment. The role of the press: News, information, updating and educational communication: The role of the press is mainly the transmission of information and news. Journalism can be of different types and a journalist can write or present different genres and styles. For example, a journalist can cover daily news, investigative news or write articles on various topics. Today's journalist can also write and present various things which may not be serious news or journalism and this is a genre called Lifestyle Journalism which is based on news about travel, food, luxury, clothes, cars, fashion, sex etc. A reporter might write about the environment or health. An editor can also be a content producer. The role of an intermediary: The role of a journalist is to inform, educate and be the voice of the people of the country. Although different genres of journalism are required, news journalism has an important role to play. A journalist must be a voice that acts as an intermediary between the people and the government. Journalists' agendas have led to discussion of important issues and decisions that support people's demands for justice. Although it has been doing this for years, times have changed and so have the designs. Role in Development and National Integration:

India's freedom struggle, is a bold story of immense courage. Although it started with the printing of Hicky's Bengal Gazette, it had a very difficult phase in the freedom struggle where various freedom fighters planted the spark of freedom struggle in the hearts of Indian citizens with the help of printed literature. The British wanted to ban this flourishing Indian press movement to promote the freedom struggle. However, it was not to be. Gradually India gained freedom. The press found its voice to speak for the people and development issues of the country. Reporters did not have to fear even in an emergency. Journalism therefore plays an important role as a catalyst for India's development aspirations, national integration and the struggle for justice. India, like many other countries, has a strong history. Role of Gatekeeper:

Gatekeeper is another problem which results in filtering a large amount of news from different parts of the country. While the print media remains a supreme source of news and information, gating meant that much of the news, especially from small towns, never made it to the national platform. Most of the news channels, except a handful, came to news desks with very little news about the needs of the people from across India. They have become political cauldrons where issues are discussed that avoid other more urgent issues that plague the country. The situation is not as bad as it seems when genuine journalists take to social networking forums to present the voice of truth.