Indian Press (emergency Power) Act, 1931

The Indian Press Act of 1931 granted provincial government’s broad authority to stifle propaganda encouraging civil disobedience. In 1932, it was broadened to encompass all actions taken to undermine the authority of the government. 

•    The Congress began the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930, and the 1931 Act placed limitations on it.

 

•    This law aimed to stop the printing of texts that advocated or incited violence.

 

•    A 6-month jail sentence could be imposed in addition to the amount of security if printing without authorization were to occur. Many significant publishers and printers have been harmed as a result of this act.

 

•    The Bombay Chronicle paid Rs. 3,000 for an offensive Hornimale piece, and The Calcutta Liberty deposited a security of Rs. 6,000.

 

•    The Foreign Relations Act was passed in 1932 as a result of Indian newspapers repeatedly meddling in the internal affairs of neighboring states. The dissemination of information about the government's diplomatic ties with friendly nations was prohibited by this Act.

 

•    The Indian Press Act of 1931 was passed as a result of the Salt Satyagraha.

 

•    During the civil disobedience movement, it gave sweeping powers to censor any publication that questioned the legitimacy of the administration.

 

•    It was expanded in 1932 to include all actions taken to undermine the authority of the government.

 

•    To put an end to the growing unrest and widespread mobilization in India, the Indian States Protection Act of 1934 was passed.

 

•    It was against the law for newspapers to criticize and sow discontent in the governments of princely nations.

 

•    The Defense of India Act was passed in 1939 in order to restrict journalistic coverage during World War II. When World War II came to a close, this law was repealed.

 

•    Pre-censorship was implemented during the Second World War in accordance with the Defense of India Rules.

 

•    The Press Emergency Act was amended to raise the sentence to five years in prison.

 

•    The Official Secrets Act was also changed to include a potential penalty of execution or transportation for disclosing information that could be used against us.

 

•    The Indian press remained unaffected by the multiple draconian laws, found ways to get around them to defend press freedom and civil freedoms, and ultimately emerged as the leaders of the national movement.

 

The East India Company, numerous missionaries, and ultimately the British government's self-serving goals can all be seen in the inception and development of the Indian press. Press coverage was divided into two camps: pro-government publications that downplayed any shortcomings of British control and anti-government publications that saw only shortcomings. In India, the media was not employed as a scientific, impartial, and empirical examination of the news, but rather for personal advantage.